Children with poor access to healthcare in emergencies: standpoint and practices of pediatricians in France.

ABSTRACT

Many children with poor access to healthcare are finally admitted in emergency departments. This study describes the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of 161 pediatricians caring for these children. Among the pediatricians, 84 (52.8%) felt under-informed about the performance of the various health insurances, 107 (68.6%) lacked systematic information on the health insurance cover of the children they cared for, and many were unaware of appropriate local resources. Admission to emergency departments can be a way of linking up the healthcare pathway, once provided systematic assessment of children's access to healthcare, better information and coordination of healthcare professionals' interventions, and several partnerships including social support.