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Comparison of self-referred and physician-referred patients to a pediatric diagnostic center
S A Beebe1, R Casey, M R Magnusson
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Insights
Parents sometimes bypass their child's regular doctor for specialist care, often because they perceive the doctor as unconcerned. This can lead to duplicated tests and fragmented care for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Referral Systems
Background:
- Self-referral in pediatric care can result in unnecessary diagnostic tests and fragmented follow-up.
- Understanding the motivations behind parental self-referral is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary reasons for parental self-referral to a hospital-based pediatric diagnostic center.
- To compare the perceptions of parents who self-referred versus those referred by a physician regarding physician concern.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted at a pediatric diagnostic center.
- Data were collected via questionnaires administered to parents of referred and self-referred children.
- Parental perceptions of their child's regular physician's level of concern were assessed.
Main Results:
- Of the self-referred patients, 46% of parents believed their child's regular physician was unconcerned, compared to only 4% of physician-referred patients.
- A significant difference in perceived physician concern was observed between the two groups.
- Questionnaires were completed by 85% of parents.
Conclusions:
- Perceived lack of concern from the child's regular physician is a significant factor driving parental self-referral to pediatric diagnostic centers.
- Further research is needed to understand the root causes of this perception.
- Physicians may need strategies to better demonstrate concern to families to improve care coordination.
Abstract:
Self-referral of children by parents without the knowledge of the child's regular physician can lead to redundant or unnecessary testing and difficulty in arranging follow-up care. This study was designed to investigate reasons for self-referral in a hospital-based pediatric diagnostic center. During the study period, 59 patients were referred by their regular physicians and 51 were self-referred. In multiple-choice questionnaires completed by 85% of the parents, nearly half (18/39; 46%) of those who were self-referred but only 2/51 (4%) of physician-referred parents said the child's regular physician was unconcerned about the medical problem. Further study on the causes for this perception is needed before recommendations can be made to physicians about demonstrating their concern to families.