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Immunization Refusal and Physician Responsibility
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:312-313.
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| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
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As a member of the human race (albeit sometimes reluctantly) for more than 50 years and a practicing pediatrician for more than 20 of those years, I still do not understand why some issues remain unsolved.
When I began practicing I expected my patients' parents to show up for well-child visits and accept immunizations. Most did without a problem. A few required several reminders, and a very few had to be confronted with the fact that I did not care for unimmunized children. My immunization percentage is very close to 100% and I have "lost" only 2 patients over this issue in 20 years.
My theory on why this problem remains a problem is that too few pediatricians realize that the physician-guardian relationship is a contractual one, with expectations and responsibilities on the part of both. Pediatricians have been found in several studies to do what the parent wants or . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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