THE PEDIATRICIAN AND THE PUBLIC

Abstract

FROM what Dr. London reported in his paper "The North Carolina Plan for Improved Medical Care," published in this Section last month, this reader concludes that North Carolina is, as is stated, truly "in the vanguard" not only "with respect to advancement of medical education and expansion of medical care facilities," but with respect to sound policies and procedures to be used in planning for and achieving such advancement. Those worthy of particular notice are: 1. Leadership shared by lay and medical persons: Thus, in contrast to some other medical care plans where only doctors sit in on planning and administering programs, representatives of all those concerned were in from the beginning in the North Carolina plan. Doctors, educators, leaders in industry and government, farm and labor groups, consumers of medical care, etc., helped make initial plans. Lay as well as professional personnel constitute this State Commission which now adopts policies and administers funds. 2. Careful study of facts as plans were developed: It should be emphasized that the studies took special cognizance of the economic status of the population and the availability of services they needed. 3. The steps taken to solve the problems uncovered by the studies were realistic and designed to attack those problems which were solvable in the near future. Thus the problem of lack of well trained personnel was faced and three important steps were taken to solve it. A medical school is being expanded. Loan funds are made available so students can go to universities. Post-graduate education is being expanded through consultations for physicians less well trained and in smaller hospitals. Another problem faced quite realistically was that the best modern medical care demands more than the average doctor or small hospital can supply. Apparently some assistance in solving this problem will be given by having consultation services supplied from larger and better staffed units. The development of additional diagnostic services within reach of the patient and the doctor in rural areas will also help.