Educator/Physician Interchanges: A Survey and Suggestions

Physicians were surveyed to obtain their opinions concerning the information exchanged between parents, schools, and their offices regarding the prescription and effects of medications used with handicapped children. While all of the physicians felt that a regular, objective exchange of information was important, very little information was actually exchanged. While the majority of the physicians received some information from the schools prior to initiating therapy, only 33% considered that information to be objective. Forty-three percent indicated that they provided information to the schools, and 62% said that they received some information from the schools concerning the effectiveness of the medications, but only 10% felt that this information was objective. A proposed form, designed to facilitate a communicative effort between educators and physicians, is presented.