Concept of Health Care Counseling for Pediatricians.

ABSTRACT

The term ‘Health Care Counseling’ denotes introduction of the science and practice of counseling at all healthcare delivery points, apart from the existing mental health settings. Introduction of healthcare counseling is expected to bring about palpable changes in the existing communication gap between health care professionals and their clients, particularly the parents of the young ones. There is ample opportunities for introducing health care counseling in the life-cycle approach to child care and development, a philosophy that encompasses all actions essential for preparing for future motherhood, joyful pregnancy, safe delivery, and optimal growth and development till 18 years of age [1]. Establishing health care counseling services in the healthcare sector would involve (i) a formal need assessment, (ii) identification of research priorities, (iii) development of human resources, (iv) identification of services for all specialized healthcare situations across the entire pediatric age group – birth to 18 years, (v) development of service models, (vi) formal evaluation, and (vii) seeking policy support. This article intends to highlight the relatively new concept of Health Care Counseling (HCC), particularly relevant to practicing pediatricians, in terms of; (i) system approach to counseling, (ii) the conceptualization of HCC, (iii) the need for HCC, (iv) capacity building for HCC, (v) description of HCC, and (vi) plan of action.