50 Years Ago in The Journal of Pediatrics:

Article Outline

• Reference
• Copyright

Hill LF. J Pediatr 1960;57:305-12.

McK. Mitchell J. J Pediatr 1960;57:312-4

Nelson WE. J Pediatr 1960;57:314-6.

“It's déjà vu all over again,” remarked Yogi Berra once in the early 1960s after seeing Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit back-to-back home runs. Who knows what Yogi would have quipped if he now read the Editor's Column of The Journal from 50 years ago? Debates regarding the optimal training for pediatrics residency appear timeless.

We are all well served to reexamine comments made in 1960 by former American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) President Lee Forest Hill, ABP Executive-Secretary John McK. Mitchell, and The Journal Editor Waldo E. Nelson. They argued whether preparation for pediatrics practice required 2 or 3 years of residency. Three years did become the ABP requirement in 1974. In their colloquy, the gentlemen all posited remarks that, although spoken from authority, are myopic in hindsight. For instance, Mitchell stated, “There is no doubt, however, that for a period of years immediately following its adoption (i.e., three years), the number starting practice would be decreased materially and I personally fear that the number of physicians entering residency training in pediatrics might be reduced significantly.” In 1958 there were 5900 boarded pediatricians; by 2008, the ABP had granted 93 694 general pediatrics certificates.¹ Nelson added “I do believe a third year of training in an adequate setting is distinctly worth while for the man of excellent potential for the practice of pediatrics.” Nelson did not foresee that well more than half of today's residents would be female.

We must recognize that any sweeping remarks about pediatrics training are, like a current ABP certificate—time-limited. Changes loom on the horizon. The Institute of Medicine is scrutinizing the 80-hour resident work-week. Graduate Medical Education funding is in jeopardy as Congress fights about health care reform. The ABP is implementing Maintenance of Certification to continue forever after residency. We should pay close attention to the Notes from the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Inc., in The Journal, bookmark the ABP web site as a favorite, and heed Yogi's other aphorism, “It ain't over till it's over.”

Back to Article Outline

Reference 

1. American Board of Pediatrics. www.abp.org. Accessed March 26, 2010.
   • View In Article