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Why should early pediatricians choose academic research/clinical care over private practice?
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In this month’s cover story, Infectious Diseases in Children addressed the current shortage of pediatric medical subspecialists and a potential deficit in graduate medical education positions for children’s hospitals. Additionally, current issues within the workforce, such as the increasing number of children with chronic health issues, struggles with work-life balance and incongruences in financial compensation compared with other medical specialties could compound and encumber the sustainability of the child health care system.
Click here to read commentary from pediatricians, workforce experts and graduate medical education experts about the difficulties the current pediatrician workforce faces and the path to overcoming these issues to ensure the next generation of child care.
Clinical research powers widespread help across the globe
While an academic career in biomedical research can be challenging, it can be extremely gratifying, especially when discoveries we make change the lives of children and their families. I was told early in my career that as a clinician, I would be able to help one child at a time, which is important. But as an investigator, my work would have the potential to simultaneously help many more around the world.
The opportunities for improving lives through research are seemingly limitless, with new insights into the human genome, functional genomics, computational modeling, epigenetics, systems biology, and bioinformatics, which allow us to examine the complex networks of genes and gene products that influence health and disease. These discoveries, in turn, have led to scientific breakthroughs and novel treatments for children. Cystic fibrosis is a prime example. Treatments have emerged that target the basic defect and are poised to dramatically change the course of disease. Indeed, early intervention and prevention of cystic fibrosis lung disease is in sight.
However, the number of younger pediatric scientists and clinical investigators who are adequately prepared is declining, which threatens our ability to perform and apply discovery research to children. We have a critical need for a well-trained workforce of skilled pediatric investigators and scientists, and without them, the concept of a transformative approach to translate observations from the bench to bedside will be difficult, if not impossible. We must attract bright, young minds into research of childhood diseases, now more than ever.
Thomas W. Ferkol, MD, works in the department of pediatrics, division of pediatric allergy and pulmonary medicine at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Washington University School of Medicine. Disclosure: Ferkol reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Private practice provides prompt service close to home
Families deserve qualified pediatricians who have devoted their lives exclusively to clinical care. We are a group of professionals who are loyal to the art of delivering and promoting child health from within the framework of our community’s health care environment. We do this with creativity, agility and impact. Most importantly, our long-term vision allows us to create relational partnerships with families that become the foundation of health decision for years beyond our reach.
Working as a private pediatrician gives me ultimate creative freedoms within my scope of practice. From how my appointments are scheduled to how I deliver anticipatory guidance, the successes and failures from trying new advances in how care is delivered are exclusively my own.
As part of a smaller group of physicians, action plans and innovative changes can happen quickly and swiftly. If I see a challenge, I can execute a solution immediately, without the need for extensive administrative review. And as a business owner, I have the opportunity to steer our practice into a place of community leadership and servitude as a corporate whole.
As much as I respect and admire the physicians who use their skills to create general policies, evidenced-based practice recommendations, and primary research; my job is better defined by the translation and communication of this data into practical, real-life usage for families. In addition, I am able to work in the area where I live and play with my own family; where the lives of my patients cross with my own. This increases my ability for understanding, relatability and impact with the families I serve.
Private pediatrics is more than just cartoon Band-Aids and well visits; it is a challenging and unending narrative that private pediatricians get to create. I get to promote the importance of child health to my community, help navigate personalized health care decision-making, and build lasting partnerships through the experience of raising children. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Natasha L. Burgert, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates Kansas City. Disclosure: Burgert reports no relevant financial disclosures.