Dr. Hoekelman Replies
1 Director, Pediatric Ambulatory Services, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York 14642
The 2- and 4-month visits on the reduced-frequency schedule for babies assigned to both pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) were conducted by private office or clinic nurses (non-PNPs). Those visits were scheduled for the purpose of administration of immunizations and screening tests only. The provision of counseling and anticipatory guidance by those nurses was not planned, but was given if requested by the nurse or if deemed necessary by the pediatrician or the PNP. The nurses conducting these visits did not have any formal training in these areas.




