Taking a Cue from Big Business: Strategies for Optimizing Pediatric Recruitment

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the report of the death of primary care specialties is an exaggeration. But, like all exaggerations, truths are told and there are lessons to be learned. Between 1997 and 2006, the percentage of US medical school graduates entering primary care specialties did decrease.¹ Pediatrics did not escape this epidemic. Although the past 3 years have seen a significant resurgence of students matching in pediatrics,² the prospect of a “near-death experience” of our specialty warrants a period of reflection on how to improve its vitality. The long-term health of pediatrics is dependent upon our ability to recruit students into the profession. In fact, we do not want just any students: we must continue to seek out actively the most exceptional candidates to serve the children of tomorrow.