PEDIATRICIANS - REFERRAL RATES AND SPEECH PATHOLOGY WAITING LISTS

Objective: This study aimed to examine paediatricians' training in and understanding of communication development and disabilities and their attitudes to speech pathology waiting lists and management practices. The relationship between these factors and referral rates was also in vestigated. Methodology: A total of 229 paediatricians registered with the Australian College of Paediatrics participated in the study in No vember 1996. They answered 15 multiple-choice questions designed to co llect demographic information and data pertaining to their training an d understanding of communication development and disabilities. The sur vey also obtained data on referral rates to public and private speech pathology services and on paediatricians' perceptions of speech pathol ogy waiting lists and possible management strategies. Results: Referra l rate to public and private speech pathology services was found to be associated with the quality of paediatricians' training in and knowle dge of communication development and disabilities. Paediatricians who had regular contact with speech pathologists were also more likely to make more referrals. Waiting lists had a negative influence on referra l rate. Treatment rather than assessment waiting lists were preferred. Paediatricians believed the best solution to speech pathology waiting lists was an increase in staffing levels particularly in community he alth centres. Respondents reported that 1-4 months was an acceptable t ime to wait for speech pathology care and indicated the order of impor tance of factors for prioritising children. Conclusions: The results h ave important implications for developing best practice models for imp roving referral processes and access to speech pathology services for children with communication disabilities.