Are medical homes the future of pediatrics?

For many parents, finding out their child is sick can be heartbreaking. Learning there is a shortage of doctors to treat the illness can be devastating. But unfortunately, that is the reality of pediatrics right now.

As millions of Americans become newly insured, including a significant number of children, the ratio of pediatric specialists to patients is becoming a concern. On average, there are approximately 100,000 to 200,000 children per pediatric specialty provider and there are only 28,000 pediatric medical subspecialists and surgical specialists to care for over 80 million children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. With more children suffering chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, or mental health disorders, parents are finding it can be an average of five weeks to three months before they can see a specialist.

The solution could be as close as your local community health center. In a recent report, the Federal Expert Work Group on Pediatric Subspecialty Capacity concluded that health outcomes for all children, especially those with chronic conditions, would benefit from more effective collaboration by primary and specialty providers within medical homes. In addition, the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health notes that in adolescence, children develop a greater need for a combination of primary and preventive care.

They propose a medical home comprised of a team of various medical professionals, along with additional specialists.

In other words, the best care for our children can be found in medical homes offering a variety of health specialists and programs.

As a patient centered medical home, Heritage Health is uniquely positioned to help bridge the gap in the care of children and young adults. In a traditional model of care, a child may transition between multiple primary providers and specialists. With added delays and no central coordination of care, too often these conditions end up worsening — especially for kids with chronic conditions.

Pediatric doctors at Heritage Health have access to programs to help manage conditions like diabetes, obesity, asthma, and behavioral health issues. Dental services and counseling are simply down the hall or across the parking lot. Instead of referrals and wait times, parents can expect treatment and healthy outcomes.

In addition to the pediatric work currently being done at Heritage Health, Dr. L. Nicole Odom will be has been a wonderful addition to our practice. Dr. Odom entered medicine to help people in tangible ways and has found her calling as a Pediatric Specialist.

“Children are unique in the amazing transitions they undergo as they develop from infants to adults,” Dr. Odom said. “As a specialist in the care of children, it is my privilege and responsibility to oversee the growth, development and health of young people to ensure they achieve their highest potential.”

As a country we are facing a doctor shortage and pediatrics is at the forefront of this crisis. Thankfully there are medical homes across the country working to fill those gaps and keep our kids healthy as they grow and enter into adulthood.

For more information, visit http://www.myheritagehealth.org/ or call (208) 292-0292