COMPARISON OF SELF-REFERRED AND PHYSICIAN-REFERRED PATIENTS TO A PEDIATRIC DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

Self-referral of children by parents without the knowledge of the chil d's regular physician can lead to redundant or unnecessary testing and difficulty in arranging follow-up care. This study was designed to in vestigate reasons for self-referral in a hospital-based pediatric diag nostic center. During the study period, 59 patients were referred by t heir regular physicians and 51 were self-referred. In multiple-choice questionnaires completed by 85% of the parents, nearly half (18/39; 46 %) of those who were self-referred but only 2/51 (4%) of physician-ref erred parents said the child's regular physician was unconcerned about the medical problem. Further study on the causes for this perception is needed before recommendations can be made to physicians about demon strating their concern to families.