A 12‐month profile of community paediatric consultations in the Barwon region

Abstract

Behavioural difficulty, chronic disability, and learning problems represent a significant part of the workload of community-based general paediatricians. Appropriate exposure during paediatric training should be given to these issues along with more sophisticated training in the medical, social and psychological complications of chronic illness and its effect on clients and families.

Training Gaps for Pediatric Residents Planning a Career in Primary Care: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The unique aspect of this needs assessment is the amplification provided by extensive focus group discussions. The focus groups also served to overcome the limitation of using survey data alone, which might not measure what it was intended to measure.…”

“…These and the results of prior studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] beg the question of why-given the consistency with which deficiencies have been identified in residency education as preparation for primary care-there have been few if any changes in the pediatrics residency curriculum. Epidemiologic data on which residents and program directors could base preparation for a career in primary care [4][5][6][7] are available, but given the experiential nature of resident learning, 23,24 nothing can replace experiencing the epidemiology first hand.…”

“…Epidemiologic data on which residents and program directors could base preparation for a career in primary care [4][5][6][7] are available, but given the experiential nature of resident learning, 23,24 nothing can replace experiencing the epidemiology first hand. A different approach to crafting the elements of training needs to be developed.…”

“…4 These findings are similar to data reported previously from the United States and Australia. 5,6 A different way of looking at the challenges of primary care is provided by a list of the 50 conditions most commonly referred for specialty and subspecialty consultation in the Pediatric Research in Office Settings Network reported by Forrest et al 7 Referral patterns confirm the importance of training in development and behavior, mental health, and orthopedic trauma.…”

Community paediatrics: Soft science or firm foundations?

“…The degree to which community paediatrics is now core clinical business within general paediatrics is perhaps best documented by the Barwon study, 9,10 which details the large percentage of practice time and effort occupied by work related to child development and behaviour and psychosocial issues including child protection.…”