Developing the Medical Liaison Role in School Settings

There is a reciprocal relationship between medical and educational systems; nearly all medical issues for children have educational ramifications and educational settings are ideal for implementing preventative and ameliorative medical strategies. Systemic models of collaboration between medical and educational systems are necessary but not sufficient for effective collaboration. Individual professionals with expertise in medical issues, educational issues, and collaborative skills are required to achieve productive collaboration across medical and educational systems. This article describes the transdisciplinary role of the medical liaison required to overcome the pragmatic and systemic obstacles to effective collaboration between medical and educational systems.