The role of a secondary pediatric ambulatory care service within the community

Abstract

Objective: To describe the establishment and function of a secondary pediatric ambulatory care service within the community, to assess the utilization of a pediatric community service ("The Center"), and to assess parents' degree of satisfaction with the quality of care in the center.

Design: Personal information and information regarding all visits was recorded and analyzed. A structured telephone interview was used to evaluate parents' satisfaction with the quality of care in the center.

Setting: A pediatric community centre managed by board certified pediatricians. The clinic offers primary and secondary care.

Participants: A random sampling of parents of children who visited the center (n = 615).

Results: The number of children treated in the center increased five-fold within three years. Most visits took place during evening hours and over the weekends. The most common presenting symptoms were fever, respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints, earache, and trauma. Eighty-nine percent of parents were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of care in the center; 95% were satisfied or very satisfied with the attitudes of physicians and nurses providing treatment.

Conclusion: The center is widely utilized by parents with a great degree of satisfaction. The availability and extended working hours of the center provided medical care for a large number of children seeking "after hours" medical attention, as well as a backup for the primary care physicians. The center, therefore, provides a model for improved quality of medical care within the community.