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The Collaborative Role of North American Departments of Pediatrics in Global Child Health

Authors :
Rana Chakraborty
Omolara Uwemedimo
Robert O. Opoka
Mary Lieh-Lai
Andrea P. Summer
Cynthia R. Howard
Molly Moore
Patrick T. McGann
Chandy C. John
Martha Matamoros Aguilar
Christiana M. Russ
Sophia P. Gladding
Source :
Pediatrics. 142
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2018.

Abstract

Appeals for health equity call for departments of pediatrics to improve the health of all children including those from underserved communities in North America and around the world. Consequently, North American (NA) departments of pediatrics have a role in global child health (GCH) which focuses on providing health care to underserved children worldwide. In this review, we describe how NA departments of pediatrics can collaboratively engage in GCH education, clinical practice, research, and advocacy and summarize best practices, challenges, and next steps for engaging in GCH in each of these areas. For GCH in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), best practices start with the establishment of ethical, equitable, and collaborative partnerships with LMIC communities, organizations, and institutions engaged in GCH who are responsible for the vast majority of work done in GCH. Other best practices include adequate preparation of trainees and clinicians for GCH experiences; alignment with local clinical and research priorities; contributions to local professional development and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Challenges for departments include generating funding for GCH activities; recruitment and retention of GCH-focused faculty members; and challenges meeting best practices, particularly adequate preparation of trainees and clinicians and ensuring mutual benefit and reciprocity in NA–LMIC collaborations. We provide examples of how departments have overcome these challenges and suggest next steps for development of the role of NA departments of pediatrics in GCH. Collaborative implementation of best practices in GCH by LMIC–NA partnerships can contribute to reductions of child mortality and morbidity globally.

Details

ISSN :
10984275 and 00314005
Volume :
142
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Pediatrics
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....2985b2d85cb707427115e432b9d261c3
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-2966