Sarah Gafforini

Age distribution of emergency department presentations in Victoria

To describe patterns of ED utilisation over time, by patient age group and triage classification.

Parental preferences for paediatric specialty follow-up care

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated with: (1) parental preference to receive follow-up care for their child from a general practitioner (GP); and (2) a decision to seek treatment when there is a slight worsening of their childs condition. Methods Parents presenting with their child at any one of five paediatric out-patient clinics at two public hospitals in Melbourne (Vic., Australia) were surveyed. We performed frequency distributions, bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate associations with the preference for a GP for follow-up care and treatment in case of a slight worsening. Results In all, 606 parents were recruited to the study, 283 being new presentations and 323 presenting for review. GPs were selected as the preference for follow-up care by 23% (n=142) of respondents, and 26% (n=160) reported they would seek treatment from a GP if the condition of their child were to worsen slightly. There was an increased likelihood to prefer a GP for follow-up care for new patients (odds ratio (OR) 3.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.99-4.83), those attending general paediatrics clinic (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.11-2.70), and parents with a lower level of education (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.09-2.78). For review patients, if during the previous visit a paediatrician suggested follow-up with a GP, parents were more likely to prefer a GP as a follow-up provider (OR 6.70; 95% CI 3.42-13.10) and to seek treatment from a GP in case of a slight worsening (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.03-3.37). Conclusion Most parents attending paediatric out-patient appointments prefer to return for follow-up care; however, a paediatricians advice may have an important role in return of paediatric patients to primary care. What is known about the topic? In Australia, there has been a growing concern regarding long waiting times for specialist consultations in out-patient clinics and difficulties with access for new patients. This has occurred when the ratio of review attendees to new patients has tipped towards the review attendees. What does this paper add? Most parents of children attending paediatric out-patient clinics value follow-up care with paediatric specialists, even if the referring GP requested a return to their surgery. The advice of the consulting paediatrician in support of follow-up care with a GP contributes significantly to the willingness of parents to return to primary care and to seek treatment from their GP for a slight worsening of their childs condition. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings of the present study have significant implications for the discharge of patients from speciality care: paediatricians can have an important role in the return of paediatric patients to primary care.

Children referred for specialty care: Parental perspectives and preferences on referral, follow-up and primary care.

Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of referrals for paediatric subspecialty care and in overall appointments (new and review) to these doctors. We sought to determine the perspective of parents regarding their role in the initiation of referrals, their preferences for follow‐up and the role of general practitioners (GPs) in care co‐ordination.

What proportion of paediatric specialist referrals originates from general practitioners

To determine (i) the proportion of different referral sources for new referrals to paediatric specialist outpatient clinics and (ii) any association of referral source with utilisation of additional health services.

Perspectives of Australian general practitioners on shared care for paediatric patients.

Australian general practitioners (GPs) are seeing proportionally fewer paediatric patients. GPs may be increasingly relying on secondary or tertiary care physicians to provide care to children with complex, chronic conditions. Shared-care initiatives may provide a solution to the apparent increasing dependence of GPs on paediatric specialists, although, currently, evidence is lacking about both the prevalence and composition of shared care for children in Australia. We invited 377 GPs in Melbourne, Australia, who had referred at least two children to specialist paediatric outpatient clinics within the 2014 calendar year, to participate in a mailed survey study. Items analysed for the present report included those relating to shared-care arrangements between GPs and paediatric specialists. Responses were received from 254 GPs (response rate 67%). The majority (90%) of GPs in our study have been involved in shared-care arrangements with outpatient paediatricians. We found wide variation in the success of these arrangements, measured through the ability of GPs to establish clear roles with paediatricians. For a national discussion around shared care to be productive, clear definitions and classifications will be crucial. Future research could investigate the reasons for variability in shared care in Australia, and examine optimal shared-care arrangements for children.

Paediatrician Perceptions of Patient Referral and Discharge

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the factors involved in the decision of paediatric specialists to discharge patients back to their primary care provider following referral. Return of patients to primary care, when medically appropriate, is essential to provide efficient care to children given the limited workforce of paediatric subspecialists in Australia. Methods Data were compiled from a self-completed mail survey of all paediatricians in five specialties at two childrens hospitals in Melbourne (n=81). Analysis involved frequency distributions and descriptive analyses, followed by bivariate analyses to determine the differences, if any, among respondents based on the demographic variables collected. Results The response rate was 91%. Most paediatricians (73%) believed that at least sometimes referrals were for a condition general practitioners (GPs) should be able to manage themselves. However, only 36% reported that they frequently or almost always provided the referring GP with information on how to care for the particular condition without a referral. Concerns regarding whether a patient would receive required care following discharge were felt to be important by most paediatricians. Further, many paediatricians reported that their discharge decision is affected by concerns it would be too complicated to arrange for a GP to take over the care of a patient. Conclusions Understanding the factors involved in the referral process and the decision to discharge patients from speciality care clinics to primary care is essential to develop strategies to address long waiting times. Ensuring appropriate referral of children involves the participation of GPs, parents and specialists. What is known about the topic? Most paediatric subspecialists practice in paediatric hospitals, where there is a sufficient volume of patients requiring their services. There have been reports across Australia of increased referrals to general and subspecialist paediatricians, with subsequent increases in waiting times and difficulties accessing timely care for children. There are anecdotal reports of inappropriate referrals to paediatric subspecialty clinics. What does this paper add? There is broad sentiment among paediatric specialists that they receive many referrals from GPs without either a clear rationale for the referral and/or sufficient information regarding the clinical history of the patient. Few paediatricians report contacting the referring GP to obtain additional information. Paediatricians believe parents are a frequent driver of both necessary and unnecessary referrals. What are the implications for practitioners? Understanding the factors involved in the referral process and the decision to discharge patients from speciality care clinics to primary care is essential to develop strategies to address long waiting times.

General practitioner referrals to paediatric specialist outpatient clinics: referral goals and parental influence

INTRODUCTION Previous research on general practitioner (GP) referrals in adult populations demonstrated that patient pressure influenced referral practice. No research has been conducted to investigate how involvement of a parent influences paediatric referrals. AIM To investigate whether GPs who report parental influence on their decision to refer paediatric patients differ in their referral patterns from GPs who do not report parental influence. METHOD A mail survey of 400 GPs who had referred at least two children to paediatric specialist outpatient clinics during 2014 was distributed. RESULTS The response rate was 67% (n = 254). For initial referrals, 27% of GPs stated that parental request frequently or almost always influenced their referral decision. For returning referrals, 63% of GPs experienced parental influence to renew a referral because a paediatrician wanted a child to return; 49% of GPs experienced influence to renew a referral because a parent wanted to continue care with a paediatrician. Experiencing parental influence was associated with increased likelihood for frequent referrals in order for a paediatrician to take over management of a childs condition. DISCUSSION GPs who frequently refer with a goal for a paediatrician to take over management of a childs condition also report that parental request almost always influences their decision to refer.

Lower urgency paediatric injuries: Parent preferences for emergency department or general practitioner care

Injuries are a significant proportion of lower urgency (triage category 4 or 5) child presentations to the EDs in metropolitan Melbourne. The purpose of the present study was to assess parental preferences and experiences regarding the treatment of lower urgency child injuries and the role of general practitioners (GPs) in such care.