The patient referral system is one of the most important pathways within pediatric healthcare. Ideally, it operates smoothly to ensure that all patients, regardless of socio-economic background, gender, or race, are able to take steps towards good health.
In a recent issue of Pediatrics, a study confirmed that there were several factors that affected the pediatric referral system negatively, ranging from race and zip code to whether the patient had public insurance. The authors of the study also noted what factors made a positive impact on whether referrals were scheduled quickly and attended by patients and their families. There are a...