Continuity of Care Between Obstetrical and Pediatric Preventive Care: Indicators of Nonattendance at the First Well-Child Appointment

Abstract

This study evaluates appointment behavior for first well-child visits for first-born children and identifies factors that target infants at increased likelihood for missing their first pediatric appointment. Timely appointments were not scheduled for 10.3% of newborns; 20.1% of those scheduling did not keep the first appointment. Younger, less educated mothers who did not remember when they had learned about well-baby care, and mothers of infants born in the newborn intensive care unit were unlikely to schedule the appointment; young mothers learning about well care from friends or relatives and who chose a pediatrician without a previous prenatal visit were more likely to miss the child's first appointment. Prenatal pediatric visits as well as prenatal classes and written materials may improve compliance with the first well-child appointment.

Nonattendance in pediatric pulmonary clinics: an ambulatory survey

“…The determinants of nonattendance include disease related, patient-related and health care provider-related factors [ 4 - 10 ]. Disease-related factors include the length of time the patient has been afflicted with the disease and the type of illness (the presence of significant distress and symptoms, possibility of spontaneous resolution of symptoms) [ 6 ].…”

“…acute vs. chronic disease), patient-related factors (e.g. patients forgetting their appointment, transportation difficulties, inability of the child or his parent to leave school or work, inadequate communication between the clinic and patients, including mix up over the date or time or unexpected events), demographic and socioeconomic factors, office accessibility and factors related to the health care provider [ 4 - 10 ].…”

A literature review on integrated perinatal care

“…Specialized prenatal service programs (i.e. nutrition, anti-smoking) [ 21 ] or educational services provided by professionals in their private practice [ 24 ] achieved maximum results when addressed to clearly targeted clienteles, generally young mothers with low incomes. Such specialized programs may mitigate disparities in health status.…”

Frühkindliche Karies und assoziierte Risikofaktoren bei Kleinkindern im Land Brandenburg

“…Andererseits wurde jedoch auch festgestellt, dass Eltern mit niedrigem Sozialstatus sowie Alleinerziehende, die niedrigste Inanspruchnahme bei Vorsorgeuntersuchungen aufweisen (Grossman et al 1996, Navarro-Rubio et al 1995, Lutz 1990 …”