Children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities: a population‐based study of healthcare service utilization using administrative data

Aim The aim of this study was to identify children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) and compare their healthcare service utilization to children without NDD/D using provincial linked administrative data. Method The sample included children aged 6 to 10 years (n=183 041), who were registered with the British Columbia Medical Services Plan. Diagnostic information was used for the identification and classification of NDD/D in six functional domains. Healthcare service utilization included outcomes based on physician claims, prescription medication use, and hospitalization. Results Overall, 8.3% of children were identified with NDD/D. Children with NDD/D had higher healthcare service utilization rates than those without NDD/D. Effect sizes were: very large for the number of days a prescription medication was dispensed; large for the number of prescriptions; medium for the number of physician visits, different specialists visited, number of different prescription medications, and ever hospitalized; and small for the number of laboratory visits, X‐ray visits, and number of days hospitalized. Interpretation The findings have policy implications for service and resource planning. Given the high use of psychostimulants, specialized services for both NDD/D and psychiatric conditions may be the most needed services for children with NDD/D. Future studies may examine patterns of physician behaviours and costs attributable to healthcare service utilization for children with NDD/D. What this paper adds Children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) have higher healthcare service utilization than those without. Based on provincial population‐based linked administrative health data, a sizeable number of children are living with NDD/D. Given the high use of psychostimulants, specialized services for children with both NDD/D and psychiatric conditions may be the most needed services for children with NDD/D. Resumen Niños con trastornos del neurodesarrollo y discapacidades: Estudio poblacional sobre uso de servicios de salud, utilizando datos administrativos Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar niños con trastornos del neurodesarrollo y discapacidades (NDD/D) y comparar el uso de servicios de salud con niños sin NDD/D, utilizando datos administrativos vinculados a provincias. Metodos La muestra incluyo niños de 6 a 10 años de edad (n=183 041) que se encontraban registrados en el plan de Servicios Médicos de Briti