The Role of the Practicing Pediatrician in Resident Education
1 Office of Medical Education, The Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Pediatric practitioners have always participated in resident education activities; in fact, they have been the prime teachers of residents and medical students in many pediatric centers. They accepted without hesitation the dual responsibility of teaching without remuneration and patient care. During the last ten to 15 years, however, a number of factors have altered this traditional role:
1. The development of sophisticated subspecialties, although strengthening pediatric centers throughout the country, has weakened the role of general pediatricians. As pediatric departments and children's hospitals have become more specialized, the role of the general pediatrician has become less well defined. The pediatric practitioner has felt alienated and excluded and may become an endangered species in the academic setting.




