Adolescent health care: an assessment of referral activities

The referral activities of 45 agencies (90% of the sample originally polled) in a moderate-sized midwest community were investigated with respect to agency referral patterns and professionals' appraisal of adolescents' health care status. A combined analysis of qualitative and quantitative data provided valuable insight into the problems of unmet adolescent health care needs and underutilization of adolescent health care services. Referral activity characteristics which may hinder the successful networking of services for adolescents are highlighted.