Journal article

Medical service use in children with cerebral palsy: The role of child and family factors characteristics

EM Meehan, SM Reid, KJ Williams, GL Freed, JR Sewell, DS Reddihough

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | Published : 2016

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the patterns of medical service use in children with cerebral palsy (CP), taking into account child and family characteristics. Methods: Nine hundred and one parents and carers of children registered with the Victorian CP Register were invited to complete a survey. Participants were asked about their child's appointments with general practitioners and public and private paediatric medical specialists over the preceding 12 months. Information on family characteristics and finances was also collected. Data on CP severity and complexity were extracted from the CP Register. Results: Three hundred and fifty parents and carers (39%) participated. Of the..

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Funding Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge individuals on the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register and their families for completing the surveys and for their ongoing support and willingness to participate in research projects. We also thank Ms Christine Westbury for assisting with telephone surveys. Funding for the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register was provided by the Victorian Department of Health, and infrastructure support was provided by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program.