Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
Referral Trends in Two Pioneering Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Centers in Turkey
Emine Bahar Bingoler Pekcici1, Derya Gumus Dogan2, Ezgi Ozalp Akin1
1Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Referrals to developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) increased significantly over time in Turkey. The official establishment of DBP as a subspecialty boosted referral trends in one center, highlighting the need for broader physician recognition of DBP services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Global Health
Background:
- Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) services are crucial for children's well-being, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Understanding referral trends is essential for optimizing DBP service delivery and training in emerging DBP centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze referral patterns in two Turkish DBP centers from 2010-2018.
- To evaluate the impact of DBP's official subspecialty establishment on referral volumes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observational study of 8,051 referred children.
- Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) models used to assess temporal trends and the effect of subspecialty recognition.
Main Results:
- Referral volume increased annually by 1.18-fold (AUDPD) and 1.48-fold (IUDPD).
- Referrals primarily originated from pediatric and pediatric surgery departments (85%).
- Subspecialty establishment significantly increased referral trends at one center (AUDPD) but not the other (IUDPD).
Conclusions:
- Increasing DBP referrals over time is a positive indicator for advancing DBP services in LMICs.
- Enhanced recognition and utilization of DBP services by community physicians and allied health professionals are necessary.
Objective:
To inform professionals pioneering developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we aimed to examine referral trends in 2 pioneering DBP centers at different locations in Turkey and to ascertain whether the official establishment of DBP as a subspecialty affected these trends.
Method:
This longitudinal observational study included all children referred to Ankara (AUDPD) and Inonu (IUDPD) Universities' Developmental Pediatrics Divisions between 2010 and 2018. We examined the sources of referrals and the independent effects of time and the establishment of DBP as a subspecialty on referral volume using Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) models.
Results:
Of 8,051 children, most were boys (58%) and under 24 months of age (72%). Most referrals were from the pediatric and pediatric surgery department clinics (85%); less than 1% were from child and adolescent psychiatry, and none were from family physicians. The NBR models showed that yearly, the referral volume increased significantly, 1.18-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-1.28) and 1.48-fold (95% CI = 1.20-1.82) for AUDPD and IUDPD, respectively. Compared with the trend of referrals before, the trend after the establishment of DBP as a subspecialty increased significantly at AUDPD, but not IUDPD.
Conclusion:
The increase in referrals to DBP over time is encouraging to professionals working to advance DBP services and training in LMICs even if DBP is not officially established as a subspecialty. Additional efforts may be needed to improve recognition and use of DBP services by community physicians and allied disciplines that provide services to children.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.