Gaps and Factors Related to Receipt of Care within a Medical Home for Toddlers Born Preterm

Abstract

To characterize gaps and factors related to receipt of care within a medical home for toddlers born preterm. Participants were 202 caregivers of children born at <35 weeks of gestation. At 10-16 months of corrected age, caregivers completed the National Survey of Children's Health (2011/2012) medical home module and a sociodemographic profile. Care within a medical home comprised having a personal doctor/nurse, a usual place for care, effective care coordination, family-centered care, and getting referrals when needed. Gestational age and neonatal follow-up clinic attendance were abstracted from the medical record. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition assessed developmental status. Log-binomial regression examined factors related to receiving care within a medical home. Fifty-three percent (n = 107) of the children received care within a medical home. Low socioeconomic status (young caregiver: risk ratio [RR] = 0.73; 95% CI 0.55, 0.97; low education: RR= 0.69; 95% CI 0.49, 0.98) and delayed language (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.42, 0.95) were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving care within a medical home. Degree of prematurity and neonatal clinic follow-up participation were unrelated to receipt of care within a medical home. Receipt of care within a medical home was lacking for nearly one-half of preterm toddlers, especially those with lower socioeconomic status and poorer developmental status. Discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit may be an optimal time to facilitate access to a primary care medical home and establish continuity of care. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01576783.