Research Overview

Judith Palfrey's primary research interest is in designing and evaluating programs for children with special health care needs. Her work is focused on the development of innovative systems of care and the assessment of the costs and benefits of such systems. She is currently the Principal Investigator of the NIDDR funded Opening Doors: The National Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs. This project is directed at improving access to early identification, community inclusion and effective transition services for children and youth from traditionally underserved communities. Dr. Palfrey is a national leader in research on the medical home for children with special health care needs, having conducted the Pediatric Alliance for Coordinated Care, which established the feasibility of the medical home for CSHCN. Dr. Palfrey also founded Project School Care which produced guidelines for the safe inclusion of CSHCN in schools.

 

Research Background

Dr. Palfrey received her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She did her residency training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and was a fellow in Community Child Health at Children's Hospital. From 1986 to 2008, she served as the Chief of the Division of General Pediatrics at Children's Hospital. She was the National Director of Building Bright Futures, the Director of the National Program Office of the Anne E. Dyson Pediatric Training in the Community Initiative and is a Past President of the Ambulatory Pediatrics Association. She is currently the Director of the Children's International Pediatric Center and is working to establish training and service programs in international sites based on her experiences in the United States. She is the author of five books including Community Child Health (Praeger Press, 1994) and Child Health in America (Johns Hopkins Press, 2006).

 

Education

Medical School

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
1971 New York NY

Internship

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx NY

Residency

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx NY

Fellowship

Boston Children's Hospital
Boston MA

Publications

  1. The Pediatrician Workforce in the United States and China. Pediatrics. 2023 06 01; 151(6). View Abstract
  2. The association of state-level drug and opioid overdose deaths with the capacity of behavioural health professionals in the United States. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 11; 30(6):e4585-e4593. View Abstract
  3. Associations Between Parental Depression, Self-efficacy, and Early Childhood Development in Malnourished Haitian Children. Glob Pediatr Health. 2022; 9:2333794X221098311. View Abstract
  4. The Death of George Floyd: Bending the Arc of History Toward Justice for Generations of Children. Pediatrics. 2020 09; 146(3). View Abstract
  5. Global Gaps in Training Opportunities for Pediatricians and Pediatric Subspecialists. Acad Pediatr. 2020 08; 20(6):823-832. View Abstract
  6. Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Infants and Children in Haiti, 2015. Public Health Rep. 2019 Jan/Feb; 134(1):47-56. View Abstract
  7. School-Based Disaster Recovery: Promotion of Children's Mental Health Over the Long Haul. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2017 10; 11(5):633-636. View Abstract
  8. A Study of Global Health Elective Outcomes: A Pediatric Residency Experience. Glob Pediatr Health. 2017; 4:2333794X16683806. View Abstract
  9. Disparities in Access to Easy-to-Use Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs. Matern Child Health J. 2016 May; 20(5):1041-53. View Abstract
  10. Conscientious refusal or discrimination against gay parents? AMA J Ethics. 2015 Oct 01; 17(10):897-903. View Abstract
  11. Displacement as a predictor of functional impairment in tsunami-exposed children. Disasters. 2015 Jan; 39(1):86-107. View Abstract
  12. Transforming child health care. Pediatrics. 2013 Dec; 132(6):1123-4. View Abstract
  13. Reforming care for children with disabilities. Mod Healthc. 2013 Nov 18; 43(46):25. View Abstract
  14. Preventing gun deaths in children. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jan 31; 368(5):401-3. View Abstract
  15. The living environment and children's fears following the Indonesian tsunami. Disasters. 2012 Jul; 36(3):495-513. View Abstract
  16. Do medical professionalism and medical education involve commitments to political advocacy? Acad Med. 2011 Sep; 86(9):1062-3; author reply 1065. View Abstract
  17. A history of the Academic Pediatric Association's public policy and advocacy initiatives. Acad Pediatr. 2011 May-Jun; 11(3):205-10. View Abstract
  18. Children's health care providers and health care quality measurement. Acad Pediatr. 2011 May-Jun; 11(3 Suppl):S87-8. View Abstract
  19. Viewing services for children and youth with special health care needs through a community lens. Pediatrics. 2010 Dec; 126 Suppl 3:S107-10. View Abstract
  20. Health inequity in children and youth with chronic health conditions. Pediatrics. 2010 Dec; 126 Suppl 3:S111-9. View Abstract
  21. Female genital mutilation. US policy on genital cutting. BMJ. 2010 Jul 27; 341:c4013. View Abstract
  22. Health care reform: the doorway to health care transformation. Pediatrics. 2010 Aug; 126(2):374-5. View Abstract
  23. Care of the child assisted by technology. Pediatr Rev. 2009 Nov; 30(11):439-44; quiz 445. View Abstract
  24. How health care reform can benefit children and adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2009 Oct 22; 361(17):e34. View Abstract
  25. Paediatric experiences with work-hour limitations. J Eval Clin Pract. 2009 Feb; 15(1):116-20. View Abstract
  26. Developmental and behavioral disorders grown up. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2008 Dec; 29(6):524-33. View Abstract
  27. Global health training for pediatric residents. Pediatr Ann. 2008 Dec; 37(12):786-7, 792-6. View Abstract
  28. Included but isolated: early intervention programmes provision for children and families with chronic respiratory support needs. Child Care Health Dev. 2008 May; 34(3):373-9. View Abstract
  29. History of Bright Futures. Pediatr Ann. 2008 Mar; 37(3):135-42. View Abstract
  30. Pediatricians' perspectives regarding community child health: training, involvement, and expectations according to age. Pediatrics. 2007 Nov; 120(5):1036-43. View Abstract
  31. Immunizations in children with special health care needs in a medical home model of care. Matern Child Health J. 2008 May; 12(3):357-62. View Abstract
  32. The Brookline Early Education Project: a 25-year follow-up study of a family-centered early health and development intervention. Pediatrics. 2005 Jul; 116(1):144-52. View Abstract
  33. Lessons from pediatrics residency program directors' experiences with work hour limitations in New York State. Acad Med. 2005 May; 80(5):467-72. View Abstract
  34. Introduction: Addressing the millennial morbidity--the context of community pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2005 Apr; 115(4 Suppl):1121-3. View Abstract
  35. Educating the next generation of pediatricians in urban health care: the Anne E. Dyson Community Pediatrics Training Initiative. Acad Med. 2004 Dec; 79(12):1184-91. View Abstract
  36. A new, experiential curriculum in child advocacy for pediatric residents. Ambul Pediatr. 2004 Sep-Oct; 4(5):418-23. View Abstract
  37. Education for community pediatrics. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2004 Jul-Aug; 43(6):505-21. View Abstract
  38. The Pediatric Alliance for Coordinated Care: evaluation of a medical home model. Pediatrics. 2004 May; 113(5 Suppl):1507-16. View Abstract
  39. Intervention with parental smokers in an outpatient pediatric clinic using counseling and nicotine replacement. Pediatrics. 2003 Nov; 112(5):1127-33. View Abstract
  40. Variations in state-level definitions: children with special health care needs. Public Health Rep. 2003 Sep-Oct; 118(5):434-47. View Abstract
  41. Advocating for children during uncertain times. Pediatr Ann. 2003 Apr; 32(4):271-4. View Abstract
  42. A smoking cessation intervention for parents of children who are hospitalized for respiratory illness: the stop tobacco outreach program. Pediatrics. 2003 Jan; 111(1):140-5. View Abstract
  43. The doctor's dilemma: challenges for the primary care physician caring for the child with special health care needs. Ambul Pediatr. 2002 May-Jun; 2(3):218-23. View Abstract
  44. Determining the etiology of developmental delay in very young children: what if we had a common internationally accepted protocol?! J Pediatr. 2000 May; 136(5):569-70. View Abstract
  45. A nationwide survey of financing health-related services for special education students. J Sch Health. 1999 Apr; 69(4):133-9. View Abstract
  46. Child health care in changing times. Pediatrics. 1998 Apr; 101(4 Pt 2):746-51; discussion 751-2. View Abstract
  47. Comprehensive child health. Is it in the picture? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998 Mar; 152(3):222-3. View Abstract
  48. Keeping children and families in the center of our concern. Ambulatory Pediatric Association presidential address. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997 Apr; 151(4):337-40. View Abstract
  49. Partnerships in school care: meeting the needs of New York city schoolchildren with complex medical conditions. Am J Public Health. 1997 Feb; 87(2):291-3. View Abstract
  50. Amber, Katie, and Ryan: lessons from children with complex medical conditions. J Sch Health. 1995 Sep; 65(7):265-7. View Abstract
  51. Health care reform: what's in it for children with chronic illness and disability. J Sch Health. 1994 Aug; 64(6):234-7. View Abstract
  52. Prevalence of medical technology assistance among children in Massachusetts in 1987 and 1990. Public Health Rep. 1994 Mar-Apr; 109(2):226-33. View Abstract
  53. The infant or young child with developmental delay. N Engl J Med. 1994 Feb 17; 330(7):478-83. View Abstract
  54. Schoolchildren with HIV infection: a survey of the nation's largest school districts. J Sch Health. 1994 Jan; 64(1):22-6. View Abstract
  55. School health services in the age of AIDS. J Sch Health. 1994 Jan; 64(1):27-31. View Abstract
  56. Supports for children with HIV infection in school: Best practices guidelines. J Sch Health. 1994 Jan; 64(1):32. View Abstract
  57. Project School Care: integrating children assisted by medical technology into educational settings. J Sch Health. 1992 Feb; 62(2):50-4. View Abstract
  58. Technology's children: report of a statewide census of children dependent on medical supports. Pediatrics. 1991 May; 87(5):611-8. View Abstract
  59. Financing health services in school-based clinics. Do nontraditional programs tap traditional funding sources? J Adolesc Health. 1991 May; 12(3):233-9. View Abstract
  60. PEER's review: refining the early detection of developmental-behavioral murmurs. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1990 Dec; 11(6):322-3. View Abstract
  61. Providing therapeutic services to children in special educational placements: an analysis of the related services provisions of Public Law 94-142 in five urban school districts. Pediatrics. 1990 Apr; 85(4):518-25. View Abstract
  62. The school-age child: putting it all together. Curr Probl Pediatr. 1989 Jun; 19(6):285-323. View Abstract
  63. Mainstreaming children with handicaps: implications for pediatricians. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1989 Jun; 10(3):151-6. View Abstract
  64. Patterns of response in families of chronically disabled children: an assessment in five metropolitan school districts. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1989 Jan; 59(1):94-104. View Abstract
  65. Public Law 99-457: new opportunities to serve young children with special needs. J Pediatr. 1988 Dec; 113(6):971-4. View Abstract
  66. Use and sources of payment for health and community services for children with impaired mobility. Public Health Rep. 1988 Jul-Aug; 103(4):411-5. View Abstract
  67. Who leaves and who stays in special education: a 2-year follow-up study. Except Child. 1988 Feb; 54(5):393-402. View Abstract
  68. Early identification of children's special needs: a study in five metropolitan communities. J Pediatr. 1987 Nov; 111(5):651-9. View Abstract
  69. Physician familiarity with the educational programs of their special needs patients. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1987 Aug; 8(4):198-202. View Abstract
  70. Ensuring access to health care for children with disabilities. N Engl J Med. 1987 Jul 16; 317(3):162-5. View Abstract
  71. School placement. Pediatr Rev. 1987 Mar; 8(9):261-71. View Abstract
  72. Health insurance coverage and physician use among children with disabilities: findings from probability samples in five metropolitan areas. Pediatrics. 1987 Jan; 79(1):89-98. View Abstract
  73. Targeted early childhood programming. The promise half fulfilled. Am J Dis Child. 1987 Jan; 141(1):55-9. View Abstract
  74. Health and special education: a study of new developments for handicapped children in five metropolitan communities. Public Health Rep. 1986 Jul-Aug; 101(4):379-88. View Abstract
  75. Health care access and use among handicapped students in five public school systems. Med Care. 1986 Jan; 24(1):1-13. View Abstract
  76. Issues in the classification of children who fail in school: categorical versus descriptive approaches. Pediatrician. 1986; 13(2-3):81-8. View Abstract
  77. The emergence of attention deficits in early childhood: a prospective study. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1985 Dec; 6(6):339-48. View Abstract
  78. A study of risk factor complexes in early adolescent delinquency. Am J Dis Child. 1985 Jan; 139(1):50-6. View Abstract
  79. An analysis of the learning styles of adolescent delinquents. J Learn Disabil. 1984 Dec; 17(10):600-8. View Abstract
  80. Health profiles of early adolescent delinquents. Public Health Rep. 1983 Sep-Oct; 98(5):449-57. View Abstract
  81. The pediatric early elementary examination: studies of a neurodevelopmental examination for 7- to 9-year-old children. Pediatrics. 1983 Jun; 71(6):894-903. View Abstract
  82. A study of neurodevelopmental findings in early adolescent delinquents. J Adolesc Health Care. 1982 Dec; 3(3):151-9. View Abstract
  83. Evaluation of a multidimensional assessment procedure for preschool children. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1981 Sep; 2(3):67-73. View Abstract
  84. An analysis of observed attention and activity patterns in preschool children. J Pediatr. 1981 Jun; 98(6):1006-11. View Abstract
  85. Commentary: P.L. 94-142: the Education for all Handicapped Children Act. J Pediatr. 1980 Sep; 97(3):417-9. View Abstract
  86. The Pediatric Examination of Educational Readiness: validation of an extended observation procedure. Pediatrics. 1980 Sep; 66(3):341-9. View Abstract
  87. Selective hearing screening for young children. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1980 Jul; 19(7):473-7. View Abstract
  88. Use of primary care facilities by patients attending specialty clinics. Pediatrics. 1980 Mar; 65(3):567-72. View Abstract
  89. Medical alternative for students. Pediatrics. 1979 Dec; 64(6):975-6. View Abstract
  90. New directions in the evaluation and education of handicapped children. N Engl J Med. 1978 Apr 13; 298(15):819-24. View Abstract
  91. Infants in a public school system: the indicators of early health and educational need. Pediatrics. 1977 Oct; 60(4 Pt 2):579-87. View Abstract
  92. Skateboard safety. Pediatrics. 1977 Jun; 59(6):953. View Abstract

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