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Comparison of Self-Referred And Physician-Referred Patients To a Pediatric Diagnostic CenterDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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.
Clinical Pediatrics, Vol. 32, No. 7,
412-416 (1993) |
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