THERE is no lack of problems in teaching medical students comprehensive, community care.1 But I trust that I can suggest certain solutions to some of the problems. For if only the problems are noted, we become too easily discouraged, and I believe we have no reason to be discouraged.
Before discussing the problems, it is necessary to define what we are trying to teach. What is comprehensive care? I suggest that five C's cover it pretty well:
Comprehensive Medical Care: Five C's
Complete.—Physical, social, behavioral, family.Competent.—Skilled, knowledge.Continuous.—From prevention, treatment to rehabilitation.Coordinated.—Health team.Compassionate.—Responsible, empathy.When we add to this the sixth C—community—we add a concern for the health of all children in a given population, not merely those who voluntarily present to the doctor. The major problem in teaching comprehensive community care is that most of us do not yet achieve this type of