Diversity of Pediatric Workforce and Education in 2012 in Europe: A Need for Unifying Concepts or Accepting Enjoyable Differences?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate differences in child health care service delivery in Europe based on comparisons across health care systems active in European nations.


METHODS
A survey involved experts in child health care of 40 national pediatric societies belonging both to European Union and non-European Union member countries. The study investigated which type of health care provider cared for children in 3 different age groups and the pediatric training and education of this workforce.


RESULTS
In 24 of 36 countries 70%-100% of children (0-5 years) were cared for by primary care pediatricians. In 12 of 36 of countries, general practitioners (GPs) provided health care to more than 60% of young children. The median percentage of children receiving primary health care by pediatricians was 80% in age group 0-5 years, 50% in age group 6-11, and 25% in children >11 years of age. Postgraduate training in pediatrics ranged from 2 to 6 years. A special primary pediatric care track during general training was offered in 52% of the countries. One-quarter (9/40) of the countries reported a steady state of the numbers of pediatricians, and in one-quarter (11/40) the number of pediatricians was increasing; one-half (20/40) of the countries reported a decreasing number of pediatricians, mostly in those where public health was changing from pediatric to GP systems for primary care.


CONCLUSIONS
An assessment on the variations in workforce and pediatric training systems is needed in all European nations, using the best possible evidence to determine the ideal skill mix between pediatricians and GPs.
European Paediatric Association, The Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA-UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany; Children's Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Jochen H H
JH
Ehrich
European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) c/o EAP/UEMS-SP, Brussels, Belgium; California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA.
Alfred
A
Tenore
European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) c/o EAP/UEMS-SP, Brussels, Belgium; Studio Vecellio33, ULSS16, Padova, Italy.
Stefano
S
del Torso
European Paediatric Association, The Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA-UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany; Institute of Pediatrics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
Massimo
M
Pettoello-Mantovani
European Paediatric Association, The Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA-UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany; Child Health Department, Bath, United Kingdom.
Simon
S
Lenton
European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) c/o EAP/UEMS-SP, Brussels, Belgium; Maccabi Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Zachi
Z
Grossman
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce