title: The capacity of primary care pediatricians to care for children with special health care needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the willingness and ability of primary care pediatricians (PCPs) to accept children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) into their practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were mailed to 1441 members of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics practicing primary care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 376 physicians were eligible for analyses. When asked if they would accept additional CYSHCN, 6% selected "yes," 34% selected "yes, with supports," and 60% selected "no." PCPs closer to residency or with intermediate numbers of CYSHCN in their practices were more willing to add additional CYSHCN. PCPs preparedness to care for various conditions ranged from 96% for asthma to 53% for spina bifida. Familiarity with programs ranged from 89% for Early Intervention to 4% to 22% for the state's waiver programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most PCPs did not want additional CYSHCN in their practices. Variation exists in PCP preparation to care for varying conditions and in familiarity with supportive programs.
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Rishi
authors: R
authors: Agrawal
authors: Parag
authors: P
authors: Shah
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Zebracki
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Sanabria
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Kohrman
authors: Arthur F
authors: AF
authors: Kohrman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010372:Pediatrics; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care