RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Is paediatrics safe in general practitioners' hands? A study in the north of England. JF The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners JO J R Coll Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 138 OP 141 VO 39 IS 321 A1 G N Marsh A1 D Russell A1 I T Russell YR 1989 UL http://bjgp.org/content/39/321/138.abstract AB More than half the general practitioners in the north of England, and all the health visitors, were sent questionnaires about the primary health care of children. Eighty per cent of general practitioners responded. Their qualifications and experience in paediatrics were poor, although this was less true for younger practitioners. The doctors differed widely in their management of hypothetical clinical problems, possibly owing to this lack of training. Health visitors were thought to have an important role in developmental screening within the primary health care team, but the teamwork itself seemed weak. Although 83% of general practitioners considered developmental screening should be primarily the responsibility of the primary health care team, 31% of practices did not do it and had no plans to start. Rather more than half of the doctors in these non-screening practices would accept a clinical medical officer to screen their patients on their premises. Suggestions are made for ways of encouraging general practitioners to carry out developmental screening.