The pediatric bronchopneumonologic consultation centres (dispensaries) for children and adolescents suffering from chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases (CNSRD) in the G.D.R.

Abstract

A survey is given of the three-level health service for young patient with chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases (CNSRD) in the GDR. The expected prevalence of the diseases in the young population (0-18 years) is 2-3% and still higher in regions with heavy air pollution. The pediatric working group of bronchopneumonology (in the Pediatric Society of the GDR) has organized a country-wide system of pediatric bronchopneumonologic consultation centres in the form of district (2nd level) and county dispensaries (3rd level) helping the local primary care pediatricians and general practitioners (1st level) in diagnostics, therapy and surveillance of such patients. The bronchopneumonologic county centres with all modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities have a capacity which is sufficient for our country. However the function of the primary care doctors (to spot such children and refer them to the dispensaries), that of the district dispensaries (so far only 50-65% of expected patients in control!), and the availability of lung function test equipment and special bronchoscopic aids for infants and small children (in the county centres) needs to be improved.