While it may appear that we have lost ground, taking the long view like we do with our patients shows what we learned about children, pediatricians and community.
March marks the fifth anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is not an anniversary worth celebrating, it is one that invites reflection. Where have we come since that fateful time, and what have we learned?
In many ways, it may appear that we have lost ground. I prefer to take the long view and approach the trajectory much like we do with our patients. Bearing witness to preterm birth and life-altering diagnoses demonstrates the value in perspective. While we take the daily journey with families of setbacks and slow progress, we also are privileged to celebrate their strength, resilience and healing. As pediatricians, we get to be part of the amazing experience of watching them grow through infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. I’m often humbled by their impact on the world and the hope it offers.
What important lessons have we learned from the collective experience of the pandemic? For me, the most impactful lessons can be framed into what the pandemic has taught us about children, pediatricians and community.
Children’s unique needs often neglected
Challenging times make us acutely aware that too often children are an afterthought and bear the heaviest long-term burdens of stress. Chronic underinvestment in what children need to thrive leaves them vulnerable. Neglecting to consider the unique needs of children leads to policies and practices that exclude children from meaningful solutions. Unfortunately, this feels like standard operating procedure.
We all know that underinvestment in child care, education and feeding programs leaves many children without reliable food and shelter. It is only through passionate child advocates, including pediatricians, that decision-makers included applicable solutions during the pandemic. To this day, many children continue to experience long-lasting harm. This includes the loss of caregivers, gaps in education, loss of social connections and continued economic hardship.
Pediatricians’ ingenuity shines
Pediatricians are among the most resourceful and innovative people. Much like the Apollo 13 heroes, we take whatever we have and figure out a way to make mismatched parts work with duct tape and ingenuity.
During the pandemic, we spun up telehealth overnight to reach our patients. We stepped up and provided vaccines to children and adults in our communities. We pitched tents in our parking lots to give patients access to safe care. We met families where they were to provide the care they needed and deserved.
We are stronger as a community
Perhaps most importantly, as we continue to muster strength and forge ahead, the pandemic taught us that we are stronger when we come together and work as a community. Early on we shared personal protective equipment. We provided the best care possible, in part because we pooled our experience and expertise to inform interim guidance. We overcame barriers by insisting that we needed to be paid appropriately for our work, including COVID-19 vaccine administration and well visits by telehealth. We advocated for and shared detailed information on how to receive financial support for our practices.
Let’s take the lessons we have learned and continue to come together as a community. Let’s commit to supporting each other and advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics, no matter what daily challenges are thrown at us. There is no better group of passionate and compassionate people I’d rather do it with.
For the children’s sake, let’s remember that we indeed are #BetterTogether.
