This episode features Dr. Stacy Nicholson, President of Children's Service Line and Chair of Pediatrics at Atrium Health. Here, he discusses the opportunities & challenges pediatric care is facing today, the current state of children’s cancer & behavioral health, how pediatrics has evolved over the last few decades, and more.
Summary
The Challenges and Opportunities of Pediatric Care with Dr. Stacy Nicholson
Introduction
Dr. Stacy Nicholson, President of Children's Service Line and Chair of Pediatrics at Atrium Health, joins us to shed light on the current state of pediatric care. With years of experience in the field, Dr. Nicholson discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with pediatric care, how pediatrics has evolved over the years, and the current state of children's cancer and behavioral health.
Challenges Facing Pediatric Health
As the head of pediatrics and the entire pediatric service line at Atrium Health, Dr. Nicholson is well aware of the challenges facing pediatric health today. According to her, some of these challenges include staff and bed shortages, specialist shortages, and payment reform. However, what is concerning is that the number one cause of death in children today is gun violence, and there has been an uptick in pediatric cancer cases.
Opportunities in Pediatric Care
Despite these challenges, Dr. Nicholson is excited about the new therapeutic treatments and pathways to care that are emerging. She believes these innovations will help pediatric patients receive the best care possible. Furthermore, Dr. Nicholson is working on building innovative cancer, heart transplant, rare disease, and complex care programs that can draw families from all over the world to receive care at Atrium Health.
The Evolution of Pediatrics
Over the years, pediatrics has evolved significantly. Dr. Nicholson recalls that when she first started, pediatric care mainly focused on treating infectious disease illnesses. However, over time, pediatrics became specialized, and the focus shifted towards treating chronic illnesses and addressing behavioral health issues. Nowadays, pediatric care has shifted towards a more holistic approach that encompasses the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of health.
Conclusion
Dr. Stacy Nicholson's insights provide us with a glimpse of the challenges, opportunities, and evolution of pediatric care. While there are still some challenges, the progress that has been made thus far gives us hope for the future of pediatric care.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 11/04/2022 and can be listened here.
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