Pediatric WORKFORCE

Access to pediatric care is vital for the well-being and health of children. Pediatricians provide preventive care and anticipatory guidance to reduce pediatric illness and injury, in addition to providing acute care for illnesses and management of chronic diseases found in the pediatric population. The American Academy of Pediatrics 2013 Pediatrician Workforce Policy Statement notes the need for increased numbers of both general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists due to multiple factors, including the increased incidence of chronic health conditions among pediatric patients.18 Unfortunately, Northeast Texas lags significantly behind national and state standards for general and subspecialty pediatric care.