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EDITORIALS: Alan W Craft The national service framework for children BMJ 2003; 326: 891-892 [Full text]

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Shift in medical attitudes needed

Brian W Davies   (14 May 2003)

Shift in medical attitudes needed 14 May 2003
Brian W Davies, Locum Consultant Paediatric Consultant Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK Send response to journal: Re: Shift in medical attitudes needed	The importance of the need to increase the profile of children in medicine was illustrated by the editorial immediately after this one, "Managing Barrett's Oseophagus" (Ref 1). Barrett's oesophagus is a challenge to those of us treating children as well. Like our adult colleagues, we are unsure of how often surveillence is required (Ref 2). However this editorial, and the previous BMJ editorial on Barrett's (Ref 3), made no mention of children. Clearly part of the raising the profile of children's health is to acknowledge them when debating conditions that effect both old and young. Surely we can learn from each other. Also, this will aid the development of good transfers from paediatrics to adult services. A clear aim of the national service framework. Ref 1; Spechler SJ. Managing Barrett's oseophagus. Brit Med J 2003;326:892-4. Ref 2; Beddow ECL, Wilcox DT, Drake DP, Pierro A, Kiely EM, Spitz L. Surveillance of Barrett's Esophagus in Children. J Pediatr Surg 1999;34(1):88-91. Ref 3; McGarrity TJ. Barrett's oseophagus: the continuing conundrum. Brit Med J 2000;321:1238-9. Competing interests:   None declared