Table 1.

Recommendations by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research for the development of effective community child health care

Training of healthcare professionals

a. Pediatricians:

• Medical School

- Enhanced formal exposure to community paediatrics

• Residency

- Mandatory rotation of 6 months in community paediatrics (pending HMOs funding)

- Programs in environmental paediatrics

• Post-Residency

- Development of community paediatrics subspecialty fellowship

b. Nurses:

• Expanding the role of the “drop of milk” procedure (Tipat Halav)

• Implementing the training of nurses in paediatrics

Development of community pediatric clinic

a. Recruitment of highly qualified paediatric workforce by developing career pathways:

• Research and academic

• Administration

• Advocacy

b. Specific areas of intervention:

• Preventive care

• Health promotion

• Chronic diseases management

• Developmental screening

• Psychosocial interventions

c. Developing a comprehensive care model (paediatrician as pivot):

• Nurses

• Different health professionals (i.e. social workers, psychologist)

System changes and reforms needed

a. HMOs:

• Allocating time realistically for the specific areas of intervention

• Ensuring adequate reimbursement for the activities performed

b. Government and municipalities:

• Establishing a child health section in the Ministry of Health and in HMOs

• Allocating advocacy roles for community paediatric leadership in municipal and intergovernmental committees