Pediatrics

Pediatrics, as practiced by practitioners, is and will remain a primary care specialty even though the composition of pediatric practice is changing. Pediatric services presently are equitably provided to children of all economic strata, but there remain unmet needs that may reasonably be expected to be fulfilled in the future with the removal of financial and access barriers as well as increased public education. Pediatricians will be able to meet the projected increase in demand. The increasing trend of pediatricians to practice in groups will continue. More and more of them will develop areas of special interest, but the percentage in purely subspecialty practice is not likely to increase. An arrangement of a group of pediatricians, all with some areas of special interest, working in conjunction with pediatric nurse practitioners or associates and with increased delegation of patient care activities, is likely to become the dominant practice pattern of the future. Pediatricians make substantial contributions to the betterment of society through unpaid community services and perceive a social responsibility, as evidenced by the large extent to which they care for Medicaid patients. There should not be an expansion in the number of subspecialty boards because this would decrease pediatrics' commitment to primary care. There must be a continuation of society's support of medical education that will not alter the supply and therefore the function of pediatricians. It is important for the American Academy of Pediatrics to reassess its members' functions periodically so it can continue to be a dominant force in the planning of future child health care and better fulfill its goal of enhancing the welfare of the children of the nation.