Effective Cooperation Between Primary Pediatricians and Community Nurses: What Does the Future Hold?

Abstract

The complexity of cooperation between community nurses and primary pediatricians in protecting children's health is based on the synergy of preventive, educational, and therapeutic strategies that ensure continuity of care from newborns to adolescence. This cooperation includes a dynamic exchange of information, coordination in monitoring developmental parameters, and joint resolution of health and social challenges. Key elements of this cooperation include systematic growth monitoring, disease prevention, parental education, and early risk detection, all of which require a high level of organizational connectivity and strategic role division.

Observing the work of the community service over the past 20 years, it is noticeable that the number of newborns has decreased, as has the number of visits by community nurses. For example, in the year 2000, there were 1,844 live births, whereas in 2020, this number decreased to 1,331 in Varaždin County. Accordingly, the number of community visits has decreased. However, has the demand for healthcare services among families decreased as a result? Paradoxically, the decline in newborns has led to an increased demand for healthcare services. There is a noticeable rise in the number of children with complex health needs and frequent medical examinations.The community health service must invest more effort in health education, especially for the newer generation of parents, develop preventive strategies in the protection of children's health, act in a targeted manner (e.g., a holistic approach in education), and be a supporting structure in the early detection of developmental disorders. Community health nurses possess the necessary knowledge and skills to monitor chronic diseases such as asthma and Type 2 diabetes (DMII), as well as to administer therapies. Additionally, cooperation with social services is crucial in situations where a child needs urgent intervention and care. The exchange of patient data is essential for quick problem resolution; the data should be available in real-time to both the primary pediatrician and the community health nurse, as well as other relevant experts.Effective collaboration between community nurses and primary pediatricians hinges on institutional support, including digitalization, continuous education, and clearly defined complementary roles.

Aim: To foster collaboration and create optimal conditions where medical and social aspects of care are seamlessly integrated, reducing service fragmentation and improving outcomes for the youngest patients.