Embedded Files
This website will serve as a virtual syllabus and will help guide you through the rotations, as most of the time you will be on your own with the rotation director only a text or call away. You should be able to access this site on any computer or mobile device but make sure you are logged into your UNLV Net ID to access all files (and logged out of your personal gmail/google account).
Introduction
Introduction
As described by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the definition of community pediatrics is as follows:
A perspective that enlarges the pediatrician’s focus from one child to all children in the community
A recognition that family, educational, social, cultural, spiritual, economic, environmental, and political forces act favorably or unfavorably, but always significantly, on the health and functioning of children
A synthesis of clinical practice and public health principles directed toward providing health care to a given child and promoting the health of all children within the context of the family, school, and the community
A commitment to use a community’s resources in collaboration with other professionals, agencies, and parents to achieve optimal accessibility, appropriateness, and quality of services for all children, and to advocate especially for those who lack access to care because of social or economic conditions or their special health care needs
An integral part of the professional role and duty of the pediatrician
“The Pediatrician’s Role in Community Pediatrics,” Committee on Community Health Services Pediatrics 1999: 103; 1304
Excerpt from the Academic Pediatric Association Task Force on Child Poverty; Medicaid Facilitator's Guide:
Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to make a difference. We are credible because we bring data and are aware of problems that patients face. We have consistent contact with young children disenfranchised by society and their families/caregivers. We bear witness to the struggles of our families. Even as a trainee, your voice is important because it carries respect and a standard of professionalism.
Pediatric residents come from very diverse backgrounds and communities themselves and in their pre-medical and medical school training. It is these experiences and various exposures that have developed their attitudes and knowledge concerning community, underserved populations, and advocacy. Although not all residents will pursue a career in primary care, there should be at least a basic understanding of approaching underserved populations, the role of the pediatrician in the community, the social determinants of health, and how to be an advocate for children & families. It is the goal of the Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy rotations, along with the residency program overall, to produce pediatric professionals with an even greater capacity to improve the health of children and their communities, beyond the clinic or hospital settings.
During the rotations, residents will be provided with tools and knowledge from readings, online modules, outreach and site visits to have a hands on approach to develop a deeper understanding of their role in the community. As physicians we are accustomed to not stand in the background when we see problems, we have an inherent drive to fix what we see wrong, and these rotations will help to engage residents to become active leaders in the community and help to develop meaningful partnerships with other community leaders.
Both Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy cover a variety of topics that tend to overlap, thus for clarification, Child Advocacy will focus more on understanding public policy and medical legislation as well as cover some issues such as Child Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Intimate Partner Violence. Community medicine will be more focused on understanding resources for families from populations that have limited access (such as WIC, Medicaid, Community Health Centers); the medical home, preventative pediatrics, and on topics that affect not only underserved families, but all families (such as cultural competency, school based health, injury prevention, home safety, etc.). Both rotations involve multiple site visits within the Las Vegas and North Las Vegas community, which in hope, will engage the resident and inform them of the resources which they refer to, especially given the population and demographics of the area.
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