Training in developmental pediatrics. How practitioners perceive the gap
P. H. Dworkin, J. P. Shonkoff, A. Leviton and M. D. Levine
Ninety-seven randomly selected, board-certified pediatricians in five New
England states were interviewed by two 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%,
of 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 two
thirds 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.
