Authors: Grace Wang Cindy Watts
Publish Date: 2007/02/27
Volume: 11, Issue: 6, Pages: 559-567
Abstract
Objective To examine associations between receiving genetic counseling and the enabling factors of insurance and medical home Methods This study uses data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs CSHCN We use descriptive statistics to characterize families of CSHCN who needed and received genetic counseling as well as families who needed but did not receive genetic counseling We conduct logistic regression to calculate the association between receiving genetic counseling insurance status and medical home while adjusting for child’s age mother’s education race ethnicity and severity of condition Results Seven percent of families with CSHCN representing 643432 CSHCN nationwide reported needing genetic counseling in 2001 Of those in need of genetic counseling an estimated 123117 CSHCN reported not receiving genetic counseling Compared to CSHCN with continuous insurance coverage CSHCN with interrupted insurance coverage and CSHCN without insurance are significantly less likely to receive genetic counseling The odds of receiving genetic counseling by CSHCN with medical homes are 270 times higher compared to peers without medical homes 95 CI 158 461 p ≤ 001 Among the four elements comprising medical home in this study familycentered care is the only element significantly associated with receiving genetic counseling Conclusions Our analysis presents evidence that receiving genetic counseling is positively associated with having continuous insurance coverage and receiving familycentered care We discuss how researchers and policy makers may use these finding to explore strategies for improving care systems for CSHCN
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