Pediatric Health Promotion Plan
A family migrated from another country to your area and you are seeing them in the clinic for the first time. They do not speak English well. There are two children, ages 2 years 6 months and 6 years. When taking children’s history, you become aware they have not seen a provider in two years. Utilizing the Health Promotion Guide and the CDC vaccination schedule, develop a treatment plan to include vaccination, safety, health promotion, and wellness perseveration for the children. Provide a rationale for recommendations from sources such as CDC.
Vaccinations:
Based on the children’s ages, reviewing the CDC vaccination schedule, it is clear they are behind. The 2 year 6 month old should have received several doses of vaccines by now including DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, Hep B, and RV. The 6 year old should be fully vaccinated with boosters of Tdap, MMR, Varicella and Influenza. I recommend administering all missed doses according to CDC catch-up schedules to protect them from serious, preventable diseases. The CDC provides evidence that vaccines are both effective and safe.
Safety:
Home safety is critical at these ages. I will educate the parents on childproofing, installing safety gates, using rear-facing car seats and booster seats appropriately, safe sleep practices like crib safety and avoiding soft bedding, and poison control basics. Drowning prevention and close supervision near bodies of water, especially during warm weather, are also prudent discussions.
Health Promotion:
At well-child visits, developmental, behavioral, and nutrition screening allows early identification of potential issues. Regular physical activity and limiting screen time are important for healthy growth. Establishing a medical home and primary care provider they trust can help overcome language barriers to care. Continued breastfeeding for the toddler under two confers benefits.
Wellness Preservation:
Managing chronic conditions starts with understanding family health histories. I will thoroughly review systems, assess for any ongoing medical, dental, or mental health concerns, and make appropriate referrals or develop treatment plans as needed with interpreter assistance. Maintaining routine dental care prevents cavities and gums disease.
In summary, utilizing evidence-based guidelines like those from the CDC can help get these children on track with their health by addressing vaccinations, safety, health promotion, and chronic disease management. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions. The children’s well-being and access to quality care are my top priorities.
Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedules. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Vaccines & Immunizations. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. (2009). Policy Statement–Prevention of Drowning. Pediatrics, 123(1), 362–369. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-1854
Halfon, N., & Hochstein, M. (2002). Life Course Health Development: An Integrated Framework for Developing Health, Policy, and Research. The Milbank Quarterly, 80(3), 433–479. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.00019
