Pediatrics. 2003 Feb;111(2):426-35. doi: 10.1542/peds.111.2.426.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of nonphysician pediatric clinicians and an expansion in their respective scopes of practice. This raises critical public policy and child health advocacy concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that optimal pediatric health care depends on a team-based approach with coordination by a physician leader, preferably a pediatrician. The pediatrician is uniquely suited to manage, coordinate, and supervise the entire spectrum of pediatric care, from diagnosis through all stages of treatment, in all practice settings. The AAP recognizes the valuable contributions of nonphysician clinicians, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, in delivering optimal pediatric care. The AAP also believes that nonphysician clinicians who provide health care services in underserved areas should be supported by consulting pediatricians and other physicians using technologies including telemedicine. Pediatricians should serve as advocates for optimal pediatric care in state legislatures, public policy forums, and the media and should pursue opportunities to resolve scope of practice conflicts outside state legislatures. The AAP affirms that as nonphysician clinicians seek to expand their scopes of practice as providers of pediatric care, standards of education, training, examination, regulation, and patient care are needed to ensure patient safety and quality health care for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
近年来，非医师儿科临床医生的数量有所增加，其各自的执业范围也有所扩大。这引发了关键的公共政策和儿童健康倡导方面的担忧。美国儿科学会（AAP）认为，最佳的儿科医疗保健依赖于由医师领导（最好是儿科医生）进行协调的团队式方法。儿科医生特别适合在所有执业环境中管理、协调和监督从诊断到治疗各阶段的整个儿科护理范围。AAP认可非医师临床医生，包括执业护士和医师助理，在提供最佳儿科护理方面的宝贵贡献。AAP还认为，在服务不足地区提供医疗保健服务的非医师临床医生应得到咨询儿科医生和其他医生利用包括远程医疗在内的技术的支持。儿科医生应在州立法机构、公共政策论坛和媒体中担任最佳儿科护理的倡导者，并应寻求机会在州立法机构之外解决执业范围冲突。AAP确认，随着非医师临床医生寻求扩大其作为儿科护理提供者的执业范围，需要教育、培训、考试、监管和患者护理标准，以确保所有婴儿、儿童、青少年和青年的患者安全和优质医疗保健。
