Pediatricians' perceptions of children with disabilities and their health care.

INTRODUCTION

Because existing data are limited, we conducted a nationally representative survey to better understand American pediatricians' views on caring for children with disabilities.

METHODS

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2023 Periodic Survey asked members about their attitudes and perceptions in the care of children with disabilities (33.0% response rate, data weighted to account for nonresponse bias). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed; multivariable logistic regressions examined responses adjusting for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 463 pediatrician-respondents, 98% strongly/somewhat agreed their practice welcomed patients with disability, but 81% strongly/somewhat agreed that the health care system often treats patients with disability unfairly. While 86% of pediatricians strongly agreed that understanding the needs of patients with disability was valuable to them, only 27% were very confident in their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disability as those without disability. Pediatricians who were the most confident in their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disability were more than twice as likely to welcome them into their practice.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate needed improvements in pediatric training and the health care system to reduce bias against disability and improve pediatricians' confidence in caring for children with disability.