A recent analysis of medical care for children in one US city reported greater use of care by children with ADD. This study uses national data to examine use of medical care by children with and without ADD. METHODS: The 1997-98 National Health Interview Survey provided data on use of medical care, health insurance, parental reports of ADD and other medical conditions for 8647 US children 6-11 yrs. Differences shown are significant at p=.05. RESULTS: ADD was reported for 564 children (6.8%). Children with ADD as compared to children without ADD more often visited in the last year: a pediatrician 88.6% v. 76.5%, mental health professional 42.9% v. 4.0%, other medical specialist 24.5% v. 9.7%, therapist 16.6% v. 4.9%, eye doctor 28.0% v. 20.6%, emergency room 22.9% v. 16.8%. Children with ADD also more often had 4+ doctor visits in the last year, 48.0% v. 23.1%. There were no differences in the percent seeing a dentist or having surgery. Excluding children without health insurance did not reduce greater use of care by children with ADD. Excluding children with other medical conditions decreased use of care for all children but it did not decrease greater use of care by children with ADD. CONCLUSION: Past studies have linked ADD to greater use of special education and mental health services. This study shows that children with ADD also use more medical care than children without ADD and this increased care is not the result of differences in insurance coverage or other medical conditions.
Learning Objectives: 1. To identify patterns of medical care for children with and without diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder. 2. To understand the effect of health insurance coverage and other medical conditions on the use of medical care by children with and without diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Health Care Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.