1 Division of Neonatology, Columbia Hospital for Women, 2425 L St, NW, Washington, DC 20037
To the Editor.
The Committee on Hospital Care recently addressed the relationships between hospital-based and private practice physicians (Pediatrics 1985;75:365-367). Several examples involved the neonatologist and his/her relationship with practicing pediatricians. One issue not discussed was the simple fact that the private practice of general pediatrics is done in an office setting. These offices are not often located in the hospital where most babies are born and where neonatologists practice. Thus, the neonatologist is much more immediately available to the newborn than is the private pediatrician.