Biggest problems/issues pediatricians face

[DoctorWannaBe]

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An attending asked me recently what I see as the biggest problems in pediatrics today. Also, one of the sample interview questions on the AMA website was "How would you change the health care system (in regards to pediatrics)?" My answer had to do with uninsured children, but I don't know much about this or other issues since I've never really thought about either of these questions. With interviews coming up, I was hoping to start a discussion about what we see as big issues in pediatric health care.

 

[jessica84]

An attending asked me recently what I see as the biggest problems in pediatrics today. Also, one of the sample interview questions on the AMA website was "How would you change the health care system (in regards to pediatrics)?" My answer had to do with uninsured children, but I don't know much about this or other issues since I've never really thought about either of these questions. With interviews coming up, I was hoping to start a discussion about what we see as big issues in pediatric health care.

That's a very good question. I'm a nursing student at a pediatric hospital, so I don't have a ton of experience to offer, but I have (in my few months there so far) noticed some challenges. We have many, many children who are uninsured in our hospital. I am not sure of the exact percentage, but we are are near a large city that serves many children from disadvantaged and lower socioeconimic families.

We also have situations quite often where the child is ready to be discharged, but no family member is available to take the child home. Parent is working (and could not take off of work) or family is not at home and workers cannot get a hold of them by phone. We've had children taken away from family members (by social services) during their medical care due to family problems. The child was treated, but could not be discharged until a foster placement was available (which was tough due to the number of his medical problems). There are quite a few challenges. It would be interesting to hear from others who have more experience than I do. This is just what I have noticed. It is very hard to see many of the children in these situations.