Pediatric patient education: the unanswered challenge to medical education

As many as 10-20% of pediatric patients in this country have a chronic illness. This number will likely increase. Unfortunately, there has not been a parallel growth in physicians acquiring knowledge and skills in patient education. The disparity between these high tech and high touch skills is the most logical explanation why the morbidity in some chronic illnesses like asthma has not improved despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. The discussion focuses on the barriers to patient education and why it has not been a more integral part of caring for chronically ill children and their families. The solutions to this problem are complex but must include the willingness of health care professionals to welcome patients and their families as partners in the process. In addition, there is a need for change in the medical education system so that patient education is taught as a continuum, beginning with principles and theory and concluding with application to patient care.