Primary Care Offices vs. Specialty Clinics for Care of Children with Chronic Conditions

No consensus exists among primary care pediatricians about the best place to care for children with special healthcare needs.

Coordination of care for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) among primary care pediatricians (PCPs) and subspecialty providers has generated much discussion with limited resolution. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a national random-sample survey on this issue. An analysis of responses from 572 PCPs showed the following results:

Sixty-five percent agreed or strongly agreed that primary care is the best medical home setting for most CSHCN.
Forty-three percent agreed or strongly agreed that subspecialty care is the best setting for children with complex illnesses.
A minority (10%) reported that lacking skills in coordinating care with other providers was a barrier to implementation of a medical home.
Forty percent…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics