REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Abstract

It has been a refreshing experience to me, as a practicing pediatrician, to serve as Liaison Officer from the Academy to the Children's Bureau during the past year, to talk with practitioners of pediatrics, teachers, state and federal employees of the agencies interested in child health and to have the opportunity through this study of sampling the varied experiences and opinions of Academy members. I am impressed with the fact that American pediatrics is by no means static but is wide awake, thinking and acting. It is also encouraging for one who participated on a state and national level in the difficult and controversial Study of Child Health Services conducted by the Academy to learn that, if nothing else had been accomplished, there are almost nationwide evidences of increased interest in child health and stimulated planning to meet its needs. From the present study, I would infer that in most states the relationships between practicing pediatricians and state agencies involved in child health are satisfactory to excellent but there is general recognition, even in these states, that mutual education and understanding is needed and can best be developed by better acquaintance and more frequent consultations between these groups. Statewide planning of this type, trained personnel and enhanced funds will be needed in many states if the numerous programs for improvement of child health, which are already recognized, are to be carried out. There seems to be rather general agreement that planning should proceed on local, state and national levels but that establishment of policies and control of funds should preferably proceed on the state level through consultation between directors of state agencies and practitioners of medicine in the various fields involved. There are evidences that relationships between pediatricians of this country and the Children's Bureau are improving but that old suspicions and present misunderstandings should be discussed very frankly and advantage should be taken of every opportunity which offers better understanding and cooperative action on a fair basis. Many needs in the field of child health are evident which can best be met by coordinated planning and cooperative action between the practitioner, the teacher, the state and federal employee and the general public, but this is only to be accomplished without undue friction if proper fields of endeavor are recognized and if attitudes of suspicion and tendencies to work at cross purposes are eliminated. May I express my sincere appreciation to all Academy officers, officials of the Children's Bureau, State Chairmen and members of the Academy who have so willingly given of advice and help in this study, and especially to the State Chairmen of the Academy who have given generously of their time and whose thoughts are reflected in this report.