The Association Between the Medical Home and Pediatric Developmental Screening Among US Children Five Years and Younger: Results From the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

OBJECTIVES: The medical home is associated with key healthcare services. We assessed its association with the pediatric developmental screening among United States (US) children less than or equal to five years. METHODS: The 2007 national survey of children's health data was analyzed using state clusters, and pediatric developmental screening probability was modeled as a function of the medical home. RESULTS: Only 19.5% of US children received pediatric developmental screening, and crosstabs showed a null medical home association. Based on medical home status, adjusted state models showed much variation in pediatric developmental screening odds. A random intercept and slope model had the best fit. The medical home increased pediatric developmental screening odds by 24% (1.10, 1.38). CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric developmental screening rate and the medical home association are partially influenced by an individual's state. A multilevel model including state level predictors will help illuminate factors that promote healthcare service acquisition. This knowledge will enhance policy development in public and private sector health programs.