Journal article

Trends in paediatric practice in Australia: 2008 and 2013 national audits from the Australian Paediatric Research Network

H Hiscock, MH Danchin, D Efron, A Gulenc, S Hearps, GL Freed, P Perera, M Wake

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | WILEY | Published : 2017

Abstract

Aim: In adult medicine, rates of investigation and prescribing appear to be increasing. Such information is lacking for paediatrics. We audited Australian paediatricians’ practices in 2013 to determine changes since 2008 in: (i) conditions seen; (ii) consultation duration; (iii) imaging and pathology ordered; and (iv) prescribing. Methods: This is a patient-level prospective audit of paediatricians’ secondary care practice. Between November and December 2013, members of the Australian Paediatric Research Network were invited to complete standardised forms for 100 consecutive patients or all patients seen over 2 weeks, whichever was completed first. Main measures: diagnoses, consultation dura..

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Grants

Awarded by Royal Australasian College of Physicians


Funding Acknowledgements

We thank the paediatricians for taking part in the study. The study was supported by a Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Fellowship Award. HH's position is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council career development award (No 607351). MW's position is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research fellowship (No 1046518). Murdoch Children's Research Institute is supported by the Victorian Government's operational infrastructure support programme. The RACP had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data; the drafting of the manuscript; or the decision to submit this paper for publication. All researchers worked independently from the funder.