Would primary care paediatricians improve UK child health outcomes? No.

Abstract

Why did you become a GP or family physician? Whatever we call ourselves, one of the attractions is being a generalist physician who cares for families over time, rather than individuals or specific body systems in isolated encounters. Many GPs will have been particularly attracted by the opportunity to see children and their carers in the context of their community. The challenge of providing continuity is such that every household may not be known to us, but electronic records allow us to cross-check information about people registered at the same home address; and personal knowledge is shared between primary healthcare team members. Around 11% of our consultations are for people under 15 years1 and the idea of community-based paediatricians, rather than GPs, providing primary care to children is not new.2,3 A mix of different types of providers is found in Europe, with paediatric primary care provided by GPs in only 41% of European countries;4 and in the US, where a third of children are cared for by family physicians rather than paediatricians.5 Yet, there are recurring calls for all …