Promoting routine use of developmental and autism-specific screening tools by pediatric primary care clinicians.

Introduction: In 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement recommending routine developmental screening for all children. Most clinicians at that time were using informal methods to monitor child development.
Methods: Outreach to Wisconsin primary care clinicians designed to promote use of validated developmental screening tools began in 2006. A survey of 157 Wisconsin primary care clinicians was conducted in late 2012 to assess routine use of developmental and autism-specific tools.
Results: As compared with a similar survey conducted in 2007, where only 25% of clinicians reported use of a validated developmental screening tool, over 55% of clinicians in this survey reported routine use of validated developmental and autism-specific screening tools within well-child care.
Conclusion: Outreach to clinicians and their care teams, in conjunction with policy statements from national professional organizations and supporting evidence, can contribute to quality improvement in well-child care delivery.