Training in developmental pediatrics. How practitioners perceive the gap.

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.