In a few days, the return to school will begin, a date set for professionals who take care of child populationamong which primary care pediatricians stand out. Between September 6 and 15 more than six million children and teenagers will return to the classroom. ABOUT Every fourth presents some chronic disease or disorderAmong these are metabolic disorders such as obesity and related disorders, diabetes, allergies and asthma, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental and learning disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Along with them, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and problems resulting from prematurity at birthrapidly developing due to the increase in the number of preterm births in recent years.
“Children spend a very important part of their lives in school, and although most of them are in good health, they are increasingly developing chronic problems and pathologies.”
Faced with this reality Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatricians (Aepap), remember that the PC pediatrician is the lead medical professional for most families and therefore should be the liaison with teachers and parents to facilitate proper development of students with any chronic ailment, in particular, with complex chronic pathology.
“Children spend a very important part of their lives in school, and although most of them are in good health, they are increasingly developing chronic problems and pathologies,” explains the doctor. Pedro Gorrotxategui, second vice president of Aepap. This growth is driven by a variety of factors, such as improved diagnostics at all stages of primary care and lifestyles that promote diseases such as childhood obesity.
“In this situation, PC pediatricians should become another actor in the school community, as we are able to disseminate skills and knowledge among teachers and families to deal with various situations that may arise in schools and act if necessary,” points out the doctor. Gorrochategi.
From the side of PC Pediatrics, in chronic pathology, especially in cases complex chronic pathology, “For children with these diseases, a care plan is drawn up so that it isHelp for parents and teachers in their care,” explains Dr. Gorrochategui.
“For children with these conditions, a care plan has been prepared to guide parents and teachers in their care.”
Also important track And follow the advice prevent complications, guarantee the right to education of these minors. In short, together with teachers and families, we can work to ensure that a chronic illness does not interfere with a child’s educational activities,” he concludes.
Guide for educational centers
To further this goal, Aepap also published a Study Center Reference Guide in 2015, which is updated and made available to schools and institutes. Under the heading “Practical management of the most common health problems in children. Councils for teachers and tutors of schools.“. This guide is a complete information tool designed to make it easier and better for non-health professionals working with children and adolescents in emergencies or chronic health problems on a day-to-day basis.
“The school should be a place of integration where children with health problems find a place to develop happily.”
School “should be place of integration where children with health problems find a place where develop happily and at the same time, children without these problems grow in diversity and provide safety and friendship to students with some kind of disease or disability,” emphasizes Dr. Senarro.