Causes of delay in the adequate treatment of childhood illness in India.
A retrospective study of children attending a government hospital in Bangalore was performed to assess the causes of delay in providing appropriate treatment. Delay had occurred in 59% of children with significant illness, and in over half the cases the primary cause of delay was inappropriate treatment or delayed referral by a doctor trained in Western-style medicine. It is concluded that there are a large number of ill children in Bangalore whose parents are seeking the help of such doctors but where management is at fault.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors