Chronic disease in children. A cross-sectional perspective based on an analysis of the Australian Morbidity and Treatment Survey (AMTS) 1990-1991.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate general practitioner's (GPs) involvement in childhood chronic disease care.


METHODS
An analysis of GP consultations which involved chronic childhood disease, using the national AMTS survey of encounter morbidity and treatments.


RESULTS
Almost 16% of childhood encounters included a chronic disease diagnosis. Asthma accounted for 50%. Major reasons for encounter included: common respiratory and other childhood problems; prescriptions; and immunisation. Chronic disease encounters had multiple diagnoses with high levels of continuity. Specialist referral (but not referral to other agencies) was common. Psychosocial and general physical care were rarely recorded in these encounters.


CONCLUSIONS
General practitioners provide the broad range of care for children with chronic conditions. Interpretation of possible gaps is problematic because the study represents a cross-sectional picture of longitudinal care. However, with the current coordinated care reforms, it is imperative that GPs reappraise and demonstrate the extent of their involvement in all aspects of chronic care.
Martin
C
C
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, ACT.
Nisa
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate