1 Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
This study was undertaken in order to determine the extent of the utilization of community settings in pediatric training programs and their value rating by pediatricians in Canada. Community settings were defined as any resident staff learning experience in the community other than at the teaching hospital, and they were divided into medical, social, and educational settings.
Response rate was 100% for the 31 programs surveyed and 73.2% for the 790 pediatricians surveyed. Utilization of community settings was minimal, with the exception of pediatricians' offices, community hospitals, and clinics for well child care and rehabilitation. However, most of the pediatricians favored additional exposure of resident staff to these community settings. While pediatric education should continue to teach the pathology of the sick child in hospitals, this study suggests that the Canadian pediatricians think that graduate teaching programs should also embrace other facets of the health care delivery system. This will enhance the utilization of community resources by the pediatricians.
Submitted on January 5, 1970