The role of a secondary pediatric ambulatory care service within the community.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the establishment and function of a secondary pediatric ambulatory care service within the community, to assess the utilization of a pediatric community service ("The Center"), and to assess parents' degree of satisfaction with the quality of care in the center.


METHODS
Personal information and information regarding all visits was recorded and analyzed. A structured telephone interview was used to evaluate parents' satisfaction with the quality of care in the center.


METHODS
A pediatric community centre managed by board certified pediatricians. The clinic offers primary and secondary care.


METHODS
A random sampling of parents of children who visited the center (n = 615).


RESULTS
The number of children treated in the center increased five-fold within three years. Most visits took place during evening hours and over the weekends. The most common presenting symptoms were fever, respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints, earache, and trauma. Eighty-nine percent of parents were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of care in the center; 95% were satisfied or very satisfied with the attitudes of physicians and nurses providing treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The center is widely utilized by parents with a great degree of satisfaction. The availability and extended working hours of the center provided medical care for a large number of children seeking "after hours" medical attention, as well as a backup for the primary care physicians. The center, therefore, provides a model for improved quality of medical care within the community.
Shanon
A
A
Ambulatory Care Unit, Moke Yeladim Maccabi, Ramat Hasharon, Israel.
Reisner
S
S
Paswell
J
J
Friedman
N
N
Koren
N
N
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013997:Time Factors