Pediatrics Service

On the pediatric service the family practice resident has the responsibility and authority to provide comprehensive pediatric care of medical and surgical in-patients under the supervision of the family physicians and
the members of the full-time pediatric staff. The closeness of supervision and the amount of assigned responsibility are individually and progressively varied according to the ability of the resident. Generally three phases are noted: 1) learning procedures, techniques and skills of total patient care, including knowledge of human development in infants and children; 2) learning to use these skills in a variety of clinical problems, acute and chronic; 3) acquiring broader perspective - fitting patient care into family situations and learning how to use community resources. An appreciation
of preventive care is gained.

Daily teaching rounds in the newborn nursery and the pediatric medical and surgical floor are made. Specialists from all services are utilized for clinical teaching when indicated. Residents also spend time in the outpatient offices of the pediatricians to see the pediatric view of primary care. The pediatricians also dedicate one hour each day to focused didactic teaching related to important pediatric topics. Our residents consistently rate the teaching on pediatrics among the best teaching in the hospital.