Paediatricians involvement in paediatric emergency care. A study in hospitals and paediatricians offices in the North of France

Paediatrician involvement in paediatric emergency care is often considered insufficient. Objectives. - To assess paediatrician involvement in paediatric emergency care, and how paediatric emergencies were dealt with in emergency department, paediatric emergency department, paediatric department and paediatrician offices. Methods. - Prospective multicentrie study, January 29th, 2001, including all the emergency visits of children admitted to an emergency department, paediatric emergency department, paediatric department or in paediatrician offices. Results. - Paediatricians examined an average number of 21 children, 58% were considered as "urgent" (mean: 53% +/- 25% by paediatrician). Thirty five percent of paediatricians were available on call that night. In the 18 hospitals, 705 children were admitted that day, 42% to an emergency department, 40% to a paediatric emergency department, 18% to a paediatric department. The mean age was 6 years +/- 5 years. Trauma represented 40% of all cases and was more frequent in emergency department than in paediatric emergency department or paediatric department (63% versus 33% and 2%, p < 10(-8)). Hospitalisation rate was lower in paediatric emergency department than in emergency department and paediatric department, especially for non-traumatic conditions. Conclusion. - Our findings prove paediatrician involvement in paediatric emergency care, in paediatrician offices and in hospital. This study points out the complementarity and insufficiencies of these different services. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. Tons droits reserves.