Child Health Specialists urge families to create "Medical Home"

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Faculty and staff members of Children's Hospital of Iowa University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will place increased emphasis upon the importance of creating a "medical home" for children during the month of October. Governor Tom Vilsack has declared October to be Iowa Child Health Month. Pediatricians and other child health specialists are encouraging families to develop a medical home for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines a medical home as "... an approach to providing health care services in a high-quality and cost-effective manner." Every year since 1992, the academy has designated October as Child Health Month and chooses a specific aspect of child health as a point of emphasis. "All children should have a medical home where care is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally competent," said George Phillips, M.D., C.A.Q.S.M., an assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Iowa. "This is a crucial step that will enhance the health of all children, and we feel very strongly about the importance of this effort." Building a medical home involves establishing a relationship with a pediatric health care provider very early, preferably during pregnancy or even when couples are planning to begin their family. Children and parents can rely on the medical home to ensure that immunizations, health screening tests and treatments are provided in a timely manner. Families also can turn to the medical home for answers to their questions and advice about how to help children become as healthy as possible. Part of the national agenda within Healthy People 2010 calls for all children with special health care needs in particular to receive ongoing comprehensive care within a medical home. The Center of Disabilities and Development, formerly known as University Hospital School when it opened its doors in 1948, is Iowa's premier center for people with disabilities and special needs. The center serves as a resource for the citizens of Iowa as well as residents of neighboring states and beyond. The center's specialists provide medical care and related services, training, research, information sharing and services that improve people's quality of life at home, work and school.