Primary care physicians' knowledge of and confidence in their referrals for special education services in 3- to 5-year-old children.
BACKGROUND
Children 3 to 5 years old with developmental delays are eligible for special education services.


OBJECTIVE
To assess primary care physicians' (PCPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding their referrals to the special education system on behalf of children 3 to 5 years old.


METHODS
Mail survey of 400 office-based general pediatricians and 414 family physicians in Michigan, fielded in fall 2012 and winter 2013, with a response rate of 44%. The 4-page survey included knowledge questions about special education eligibility, PCPs' role in accessing school-based services, and self-confidence in ability to help patients access these services.


RESULTS
PCPs neither fully understood requirements for special education services nor were they very confident in identifying 3- to 5-year-old children eligible for special education services.


CONCLUSIONS
PCPs recognize interacting with special education as a relative weakness, and they may be accepting of interventions to improve their knowledge and skills.
1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Elizabeth A
EA
Hastings
Julie C
JC
Lumeng
Sarah J
SJ
Clark
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004519:Education, Special; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
school; special education