Group prekindergarten examinations: an alternative.

Most research demonstrates that the prekindergarten examination is viewed by providers as frustrating and nonproductive. The American Academy of Pediatrics (A.A.P.) has recommended several tasks to be completed during school examination. The tasks are aimed at achieving the goal of promoting optimum growth and development for prekindergarten children. An effective method for providing these complete school examinations has not been identified. Because there are a large number of examinations to be completed in a short period of time by a limited number of physicians (77 examinations per provider in two months), the school examination has not always been complete. The emphasis in the past has been on physical examination, although physical findings are minimal. This study compared group visits with single-client visits. They were compared in terms of time/cost effectiveness, impact of anticipatory guidance, and satisfaction of parents. The results showed group visits to be an effective time/cost alternative. A statistically significant difference was shown in the area of parent satisfaction (p < .05). There was a trend noted that the group parents gained a better understatnding of normal behavior for 5-year-old children that did the single-client parents. In group private practice group visits for prekindergarten examination should be seriously looked to as an alternative for well-child care.