Hospitals facing shortage of pediatric specialists

February 16, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS (AP) — A shortage of pediatric specialists at U.S. children’s hospitals is frustrating parents who sometimes wait months to get medical appointments.

Doctors who specialize in neurology, development and behavioral problems, diabetes, lung disease and intestinal disorders are in the highest demand.

Ohio is home to six children’s hospitals, meaning most specialists are within a couple of hours’ drive for parents. But the situation isn’t ideal, especially for parents seeking treatment for complicated or rare illnesses.

Katie and Doug Leedy of suburban Columbus went to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where surgery was an option for their baby, Owen, who had a problem that led to pervasive and potentially deadly seizures.

The Leedys spent three weeks in Cincinnati in 2008 and 2009. Two neurologists who played a key role in Owen’s procedure recently were recruited to Columbus.

Doctors in high demand and those who recruit them say the situation is difficult. They blame several factors: a limited number of pediatric residencies and fellowships, long training for pediatric subspecialties and low reimbursement for certain types of care.

Nick Lashutka, president of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, said he would like more federal money for graduate medical education, and he’d like specialists who treat children on Medicaid to make the same kind of money as specialists who treat adult Medicare patients.

Many experts would like to see more training slots open up throughout the country.

Even though medical-class sizes have increased in recent years, there hasn’t been an effort to increase the federal dollars that support residencies and fellowships at children’s hospitals, said Dr. Norman Christopher, chairman of pediatrics in Akron.