Is There a Role for Self-Referral in Pediatric Weight Management?

A physician or health care provider (HCP) referral is usually needed for children to access multidisciplinary health services for obesity management; however, offering families the option to self-refer can enhance equity and access to care. We completed a retrospective medical record review to explore patient characteristics and program engagement of children with obesity who were self- (n = 18) or HCP-referred (n = 120) for obesity management. Our descriptive data suggested that children who were self-referred presented with a healthier clinical profile and missed fewer appointments than their peers referred by HCPs. Prospective research is needed to examine whether health services and treatment outcomes differ between self- and HCP-referred children in obesity management.