Back to the future: education or training for paediatricians?

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood. Education and practice edition Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 186 - 190
• Main Authors: Mellon, A F, Murdoch-Eaton, D G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.12.2009; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Clinical Competence; Clinical medicine; Education; Educational Measurement; Feedback; Health education; Humans; Models, Educational; Pediatrics - education; Physicians; Teachers; Training
• ISSN: 1743-0585; 1743-0593
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2008.142182

5 6 The development of training standards by professional bodies (Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) has resulted in tighter regulation of what paediatricians learn and are taught, and also defines "outcomes" from training. 7 8 Expectations are increasing that specialists should be "fit for purpose" on completion of postgraduate training. Explicit training may be of value at the lower stages of this model to develop basic skills, but the authors themselves point to the dangers in medicine of assuming pre-defined, rule-based strategies will in themselves lead to expertise.\n" 29 As educators rooted in clinical practice we would be wise to heed this advice.