[From: Resources for Community Pediatricians - 12/8/06 via Regina Shaefer and the COCP@LISTSERV.AAP.ORG.]

"Re-imagining Well Child Care" (from Commonwealth Fund Digest - November/December 2006)

Though not for lack of trying, many pediatric practices struggle to meet the needs and expectations of families with young children. Aside from the usual constraints on resources and time, a major roadblock is something that might otherwise be considered a good thing: the standardization of well-child care in the United States—both in the delivery of services and the way providers are reimbursed.

In a report published by The Commonwealth Fund, Stanford University's David Bergman, M.D., a leading expert on quality issues in child health care, explains that standardization, while intended to ensure that families receive core services and key information, tends to encourage a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Many families are subjected to unnecessary visits, while children who are at serious risk for physical, developmental, or behavioral problems fail to get the services they need. To view the report, visit here.