How to reduce shortage of pediatricians

On a business trip to Beijing three weeks ago, I was astonished to read the headlines in many local newspapers highlighting the extraordinary pressure on pediatricians, especially during the seasonal influenza outbreak when many children are down with the flu. I couldn't help but speculate that if the capital, which is home to a great number of top hospitals and elite doctors, is overwhelmed, the situation in other parts of North China could be worse.

Such speculation proved right, as media outlets reported that the pediatrician department of a hospital in Tianjin had to suspend its service because its pediatricians were too exhausted to work.

The shortage of pediatricians and the stress under which they work should be a concern not only for the millions of parents who have to wait for hours for just a few minutes of consultation or medical treatment for their kids, but also for health policy researchers. Many factors are responsible for the situation, such as the unusually severe outbreak of flu and low public awareness about vaccination.