Strengthening Care for Children (SC4C), an Integrated Paediatrician-General Practitioner Model for Reducing Hospital Referral Rates: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of Strengthening Care for Children (SC4C) for reducing the number of referrals by general practitioners of patients under 18 years of age to hospital services.

Study design

Stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial; data collected for up to 16 months after the intervention.

Setting

General practices in North Western Melbourne and Central and Eastern Sydney primary health networks, 1 May 2021-30 September 2023.

Participants

General practitioners who worked at least two clinical sessions each week, saw patients under 18 years of age, and for whom at least 1 month of referrals data during the control period were available; families of people under 18 years attending these practices.

Intervention

Weekly (6 months) then for

SUBMITTER: Hiscock H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12799393 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature