TRAINING IN DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICS - HOW PRACTITIONERS PERCEIVE THE GAP

Randomly selected, board-certified pediatricians [97] in 5 New England states were interviewed by 2 physicians to explore attitudes toward previous training and current sources of knowledge in developmental pediatrics. Formal training in development was rated as inadequate by 79%, residency experience was viewed as highly valuable by only 30%, and 47% rated medical school as having no value. Although clinical experience was reported as a valuable source of knowledge by 99% of the sample, almost 2/3 did not regard it as an adequate substitute for formal training. Frequent interdisciplinary communication was reported, and professional contacts were described as a highly valuable ongoing source of knowledge. Social class and size of practice did not correlate with differences in consultation patterns. A part-time longitudinal clinical experience for further education was preferred by 97%. Improved training with greater interdisciplinary content is needed.