Survey Results

Survey Items: Survey instrument item number for children 0-5 years: D4a-e; for children 6-11 years: D4a-e; for children 12-17 years: D4a-e;
Variable in public use data file: K5Q40; K5Q41; K5Q42; K5Q43; K5Q44

Denominator: Children age 0-17 years who had a health care visit in the past 12 months

Numerator: Children who did not receive family-centered care; Children who received family-centered care

Revisions and Changes: In the NSCH 2011/12, the composite family-centered care measure was considered missing if any item has missing data. In the 2016, the measure is only considered missing if all items are missing.
The content of the measure is similar to 2011/12 NSCH. However, due to changes in the survey’s mode of data collection and sampling frame, as well as adjustments to item wording where necessary, MCHB alerts data users that it is not be possible to compare estimates from the redesigned survey to those from previous iterations of the NSCH or NS-CSHCN or to conduct related trend analyses. The redesigned NSCH will support trend analyses beginning with data from 2016.

Additional Notes: This measure represents the Family-Centered Care component of the Medical Home composite. Family-centered care is comprised of responses to five experience-of-care questions: spends enough time with child (K5Q40), listens carefully to you (K5Q41), sensitive to family values/customs (K5Q42), gives needed information (K5Q43), and family feels like partner (K5Q44). The composite family centered care measure is only considered missing if all components are missing. Therefore, children with a valid, either "Usually" or "Always" response to at least one item and the remainder of the items were missing are categorized as receiving family centered care. Children who had no health care visits in the past twelve months were not included in this measure.

Treatment of Unknown Values: Missing values due to non-response or a “don’t know” response are not included in the denominator when calculating prevalence estimates and weighted population counts displayed in the data query results table. In the majority of cases, the proportion of missing values is less than 2%. Exceptions are noted in the form of a Data Alert at the bottom of a results table. The exclusion of these values does not change the prevalence estimates (%) and only marginally affects the weighted population counts (Pop. Est.). If missing cases are handled in any other way, details can be found in the "Additional notes" section above.

History and Development: The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) funds and directs the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), and develops survey content in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau and a Technical Expert Panel. The Technical Expert Panel consists of experts in survey methodology and children’s health, federal and state stakeholders, clinicians and researchers. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the survey, oversees the sampling, and produces a final data set of survey results. Respondents’ cognitive understanding of the survey questions was assessed during the pretest phase and revisions were made. Previously validated questions and scales are used when available.
Prior to 2016, the NSCH and the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs were each conducted three times as interviewer-assisted telephone surveys using random digit dial sampling. In 2016, the two surveys were combined into a single self-administered questionnaire. Due to decline in the number of households with landline telephones, the NSCH now utilizes an address-based sampling method to select participating households, thus all invitations are sent by mail. Participants may choose to complete the survey either online using a secure website or a mailed paper version of the survey. All final data components are verified by the Census Bureau, MCHB and DRC/CAHMI staff prior to public release. More information can be found in the “Review the Surveys” section of this website.