Developmental assessment of children: a survey of Australian and New Zealand paediatricians.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the current practice for developmental assessment of children by Australian and New Zealand paediatricians. To determine factors associated with higher levels of self-reported confidence and expertise in developmental paediatrics and factors associated with better practice.


METHODS
A cross-sectional postal survey of Australian and New Zealand paediatricians conducted in 2003, enquiring about their training in developmental paediatrics and their practice for evaluating development.


RESULTS
Of 811 questionnaires sent, 590 (73%) were returned. Ninety-one respondents indicated that they did not see children with developmental issues leaving 499 surveys for analysis. The overwhelming majority of paediatricians felt that more training was required in developmental paediatrics (88%) and that there was a need to be taught a formal developmental assessment tool (83%). Higher self-ratings of confidence and expertise in developmental paediatrics were associated with a period of formal developmental training (OR (95% CI) 2.7 (1.6-4.4), 3.4 (2.0-5.8), respectively), and being taught a formal developmental assessment tool (OR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.2-3.2), 2.2 (1.3-3.7), respectively). Predictors of paediatricians performing a formal developmental assessment included formal developmental training (OR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.1-3.8)) being taught an assessment tool (OR (95% CI) 2.8 (1.5-5.2)) and mandatory training (OR (95% CI) 2.4 (1.4-4.1)).


CONCLUSIONS
Developmental paediatrics is a significant and important part of paediatric practice. This survey suggests, however, that paediatric training and continuing education should have not reflected this practice. The overall method and content of developmental training including whether formal assessment tools should be taught needs to be reviewed and revised.
Beggs
Sean
S
Centre for Community Child Health, Victoria, Australia. sean.beggs@rch.org.au
Sewell
Jill
J
Efron
Daryl
D
Orkin
Carl
C
D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010372:Pediatrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011361:Professional Competence