Diagnostic problems in three pediatric neurology practice plans.
Outpatient information was collected during 8 consecutive months from three different practice plans and analyzed for trends in diagnostic problems. At the time of patient contact, 1,635 patient visits were documented. The data were obtained from government clinics, a capitated contract setting, and a fee-for-service private clinic. Headache, epilepsy, and developmental delay were the most common diagnoses in all three settings. Cerebral palsy had a relatively low incidence. The types of complaints are clearly different depending on the practice setting. The factors responsible for these patterns are discussed.
Curless
R G
RG
Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002648:Child; D003284:Contract Services; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013221:State Health Plans; D014481:United States