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Trends in Pediatricians' Developmental Screening: 2002-2016.
Paul H Lipkin1, Michelle M Macias2, Briella Baer Chen3
1Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; lipkin@kennedykrieger.org.
Pediatrics
|March 4, 2020
Summary
Pediatricians increasingly use developmental screening tools and refer more children to early intervention (EI). Continued efforts are needed to improve referral systems and track child outcomes for sustained progress in developmental care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Current guidelines recommend standardized screening and early intervention (EI) referrals for children with developmental problems.
- Adoption of these guidelines has been gradual, with many children still not receiving timely screening or referrals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in pediatricians' use of developmental screening tools and referral practices for at-risk children.
- To assess changes in pediatricians' attitudes towards referring children with specific developmental concerns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of American Academy of Pediatrics Periodic Survey data from 2002, 2009, and 2016.
- Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze trends in screening and referral practices.
Main Results:
- Reported use of developmental screening tools by pediatricians significantly increased from 21% in 2002 to 63% in 2016.
- The rate of referring at-risk patients to EI increased from 41% in 2002 to 59% in 2016.
- Pediatricians in 2016 were more likely to refer patients with various developmental delays and concerns to EI compared to 2002.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians' reported use of standardized developmental screening tools has tripled, with increased self-reported referrals for children with developmental concerns.
- Sustaining progress requires enhanced referral systems, improved EI programs, and better tracking of child outcomes.
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