International travel with children: tips for physicians and families.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
Laura E Ferguson
Publications and source records attributed to Laura E Ferguson.
A vertically integrated core pediatric education.
The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a vertically integrated general pediatrics rotation that includes inpatient ward, newborn nursery, and ambulatory components in a format intended to mimic real-world pediatric practice. Separate ward, well-baby nursery, and ambulatory rotations were combined into a 4-month block rotation. Two parallel teams staff the inpatient ward and newborn nursery; on alternating days, the admitting team staffs an afternoon clinic, seeing ward and nursery patients in follow-up as well as regular clinic and referral patients. Two group meetings were held during each rotation for 2 years, and questionnaires were distributed to participating residents. All 90 residents who rotated through the combined service participated in at least 1 group meeting, only 26 returned questionnaires that limited evaluation of the program. The most important positive feature of the rotation was the continuity of patient care allowed by combining the venues into 1 rotation and by the longer duration of the rotation. Concerns included the challenges of time management and fluctuations in workload across the 3 patient care venues. Upper level residents reported that the rotation confirmed career decisions for primary care. These preliminary observations suggest that a vertically integrated rotation provides improvement in perceived continuity of care and introduces residents to the time management challenges of primary care pediatrics.
Continuity of Patient Care↗
Health care issues for families traveling internationally with children.
For a variety of reasons, international travel by American families and their children is increasingly more common. Comfort and health care issues are important to these families, and they often address their questions and concerns to their health care practitioner. Traveling to foreign countries involves concerns about food, water, medications, immunizations, and supplies. Seeking medical care on both a routine and emergency basis may be challenging for families traveling to countries outside the United States. This article discusses health care topics relating to children traveling outside the United States and includes answers to the most commonly asked questions and a list of references and resources for parents and practitioners. Pediatric care providers will find this article to be a helpful guide for their traveling pediatric patients.
Adolescent↗
Neisseria meningitidis: presentation, treatment, and prevention.
Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of meningitis and septicemia in children and young adults in the United States. Highly publicized outbreaks of disease caused by this organism in communities and on college campuses have resulted in a heightened public awareness of its potentially devastating effects. The rapid progression of signs and symptoms of meningococcemia necessitate early recognition and institution of appropriate therapeutic measures. Identifying contacts of index cases who are at high risk of acquiring the disease allows health care providers to institute appropriate chemoprophylaxis. During community outbreaks, health care providers play an equally important role in calming the fears of low-risk contacts and their families. Familiarity with the risks and benefits of the meningococcal vaccine allows health care providers to offer this immunization to appropriate patients.
Acute Disease↗