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Pediatricians' perceptions of children with disabilities and their health care
Carolyn C Foster1,2, William Howard Burr3, Chloe Somberg3
1Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
Insights
Pediatricians welcome children with disabilities, but many lack confidence in providing equitable care. Improvements in training and the healthcare system are needed to address bias and boost pediatrician confidence in caring for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Disability Studies
- Medical Education
Background:
- Limited data exist on pediatricians' perspectives regarding the care of children with disabilities.
- Understanding these views is crucial for improving healthcare equity and outcomes for disabled children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess American pediatricians' attitudes and perceptions concerning the care of children with disabilities.
- To identify factors influencing pediatricians' confidence and willingness to care for disabled patients.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative survey of American pediatricians (American Academy of Pediatrics 2023 Periodic Survey) was conducted.
- Data from 463 respondents were weighted and analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- While 98% of pediatricians welcomed patients with disabilities, 81% recognized systemic unfair treatment.
- Only 27% of pediatricians felt very confident providing equivalent care to disabled versus non-disabled children.
- Higher confidence in providing care was associated with a greater likelihood of welcoming disabled patients.
Conclusions:
- Significant improvements are needed in pediatric training programs to enhance confidence in caring for children with disabilities.
- Systemic changes within the healthcare system are necessary to reduce bias and improve the quality of care for disabled children.
Introduction:
Because existing data are limited, we conducted a nationally representative survey to better understand American pediatricians' views on caring for children with disabilities.
Methods:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2023 Periodic Survey asked members about their attitudes and perceptions in the care of children with disabilities (33.0% response rate, data weighted to account for nonresponse bias). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed; multivariable logistic regressions examined responses adjusting for demographic characteristics.
Results:
Among 463 pediatrician-respondents, 98% strongly/somewhat agreed their practice welcomed patients with disability, but 81% strongly/somewhat agreed that the health care system often treats patients with disability unfairly. While 86% of pediatricians strongly agreed that understanding the needs of patients with disability was valuable to them, only 27% were very confident in their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disability as those without disability. Pediatricians who were the most confident in their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disability were more than twice as likely to welcome them into their practice.
Conclusion:
Results indicate needed improvements in pediatric training and the health care system to reduce bias against disability and improve pediatricians' confidence in caring for children with disability.
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