Patterns of ambulatory care in pediatrics: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

A profile of pediatric medical practice is developed using data on visits to officebased physicians collected during the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey in 1980 and 1981. Descriptive statistics highlight physician and practice characteristics, patient characteristics, and aspects of patient condition and management. The first group includes analyses of visit data according to the type and location of the physician’s practice, and sex and age of the physician. The demographic characteristics of patients visiting pediatricians are also explored. Under patient condition and management statistics are presented on patients’ reasons for visit, principal diagnoses rendered by physicians, diagnostic services, medication and nonmedication therapy, and duration and disposition of the visit.