Accreditation of Adolescent Medicine as a pediatric sub-specialty: the Canadian experience and lessons learned.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) has an extensive process for recognizing new specialties and subspecialties. Among other requirements, the process requests that the applicants demonstrate that sufficient scientific breadth and depth exists within the proposed field, that a unique field of clinical practice exists, and that there is a societal need for individuals with this distinct area of specialization. In 2004, a group of adolescent medicine specialists from across Canada started the application process for the field to become an accredited pediatric subspecialty. A 3-year process was undertaken to demonstrate the need for accreditation of this new and emerging discipline. In 2007, Adolescent Medicine became the 63rd discipline and a sub-specialty of Pediatrics. This paper provides an overview of the process that led to the accreditation of Adolescent Medicine by the Royal College and offers insights into the lessons learned from this Canadian experience.