THE CHILD HEALTH CONFERENCE

Abstract

THE earliest child health conferences were well-baby clinics whose main purpose was to save the lives of infants through the distribution of clean milk, and advice to mothers on proper feeding. Gradually, during the past 50 years, other factors became important. The purpose of a child health conference today is not only to save lives, but also to promote the best possible physical, mental, and emotional development. Services include periodic examination by a physician to see if a child is developing normally; immunizations; advice and guidance on feeding and behavior problems given by physicians and public health nurses; and referral to the physicians in the community for any needed treatment. These developments parallel the evolution of child health supervision in the doctor's office. First, it consisted of advice on feeding. Then came emphasis on sanitation, hygiene, and prevention of disease. Now it also includes helping parents to understand the emotional and environmental factors which affect child growth and development and safety This changing emphasis demands a re-examination and re-evaluation of the techniques used. Evaluation of Child Health Conferences Health supervision in a child health conference has always had one drawback—the difficulty of coordinating sick and well care. No physician can do his best for a child, either sick or well, without full information concerning many factors in the child's life. Moreover, the line between sick and well is often so hard to draw that neither doctor nor parent is sure of it. And conflicting advice from two sources on what to do and when to do it adds to the parents' confusion.