Pediatric quality circles moderated by child psychiatrists -: A suitable quality assurance measure in psychosomatic basic care?

The important role of pediatricians in private practice for the care of psychologically noticeable children makes it seem necessary to implement quality assurance measures. As part of an integrated project for quality assurance in psychosomatic basic care the pediatricians in the medical care district Gottingen were offered two quality circles for two years which in contrast to the original concept were conducted by child psychiatrists. The evaluation of this offer by the participating pediatricians after one year (n=16) and after the end (n=15) yielded very positive results regarding the structural characteristics of the quality circles (such as length of sessions, subject selection, moderation, working atmosphere) and also the general usefulness of such a quality assurance measure. The increase in competence regarding practical skills (diagnostics, treatment in the own practice, referrae indication, forming the physician-patient relationship) however, was evaluated as being less pronounced. The attractiveness of a quality circle modified by continuously integrating a child psychiatrist/psychotherapist was confirmed by the results of a national survey. In another survey the participating pediatricians documented cases where they suspected psychological problems before the quality circles began and after the first year. Sensitivity and specificity of the pediatricians' assessments increased at the second evaluation point which is a sign for an increased diagnostic competency of pediatricians.