Expanding pediatric psychology beyond hospital walls to meet the health care needs of ethnic minority children.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the need for an ecological model and new approaches for meeting the psychological and physical health care needs of minority children.

METHOD

I support approaches that are informal, empowerment oriented, and culturally sensitive and that address illness prevention and health promotion.

DISCUSSION

Assessment, intervention, and research challenges involved in implementing these approaches are identified, and some strategies for overcoming these challenges are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric psychology can be expanded to embrace the advocated model and intervention approaches to better meet the health care needs of minority children.