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An analysis of childhood consultations in general practice: a multi-practice study

  • Jane O’DohertyEmail author
  • Ailish Hannigan
  • Louise Hickey
  • Walter Cullen
  • Clodagh O’Gorman
  • Ray O’Connor
  • Liam Glynn
  • Eimear O’Neill
  • Andrew O’Regan
Original Article
First Online:

Abstract

Background

The majority of illnesses in children are managed by general practitioners (GPs) and there is a need for up to date data on consultations with children in order to improve healthcare service planning and allocation of resources.

Aims

To investigate the presenting symptoms, diagnoses and actions taken by the GP at consultations with children in general practice.

Methods

Senior medical students on general practice placement and their GP supervisors used practice management software to collect data on 100 randomly selected patients aged between 12 months and 14 years of age in each practice. Presenting symptoms, diagnoses and actions taken by the GP for the most recent attendance in the previous 12 months were summarised by age group (1–4 years; 5–10 years; 11–14 years).

Results

Data were collected from 5959 patients at 64 practices. During the 12-month study, 3241 (54%) of children had a consultation with their GP. The most common presenting symptoms were respiratory (1–4 yrs, 28%; 5–10 yrs, 39%; 11–14 yrs, 32%) and skin complaint (1–4 yrs, 13%; 5–10 yrs, 16%; 11–14 yrs, 21%). The most common actions for all age groups were prescribing (1–4 yrs, 55%; 5–10 yrs, 58%; 11–14 yrs, 56%) and providing reassurance (1–4 yrs, 53%; 5–10 yrs, 51%; 11–14 yrs, 48%). Rates of referral and requiring further investigation increased with age.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive snapshot of what children commonly present with in general practice, common diagnoses and the actions taken by GPs. The findings will help GPs to organise their practice systems and will inform healthcare service planners.

Keywords

Attendances Children Consultations General practitioners Outcomes 

Abbreviations

GPs

general practitioners

yrs

years

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Notes

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the GPs and students who facilitated data collection for this study.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was granted by the HSE Mid-West Research Ethics Committee.

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Copyright information

© Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jane O’Doherty
    • 1
    Email author
  • Ailish Hannigan
    • 1
  • Louise Hickey
    • 2
  • Walter Cullen
    • 3
  • Clodagh O’Gorman
    • 1
  • Ray O’Connor
    • 1
  • Liam Glynn
    • 1
  • Eimear O’Neill
    • 1
  • Andrew O’Regan
    • 1
  1. 1.University of Limerick Graduate Entry Medical SchoolLimerickIreland
  2. 2.Trinity CollegeDublinIreland
  3. 3.Urban General Practice, School of MedicineUniversity College DublinDublin 4Ireland

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