Comparison of home and clinic well-baby visits in a military population

Patient satisfaction is an indicator of quality of care received. Home-visit programs are associated with increased satisfaction and equivalent clinical outcomes but increased cost, compared with clinic visits. We hypothesized that home visits for routine well-child care would also be associated with increased satisfaction and equivalent outcomes. One thousand infants born at Tripler Army Medical Center were identified, and 630 were enrolled. Army and Air Force dependents received 2-week clinic visits. Navy and Marine Corps dependents were offered home visits. At 4 to 6 weeks, families completed a questionnaire. Maternal satisfaction and quality of anticipatory guidance were higher in the home-visit group. Clinical outcomes were equal. Home visits for routine well-child care are valid and are associated with greater maternal satisfaction, better anticipatory guidance, and equivalent clinical outcomes.