Adolescent Medicine Training in Pediatric Residency Programs

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of pediatric residency training in adolescent medicine. METHODS: We conducted 2 national surveys: 1 of pediatric residency program directors and the other of faculty who are responsible for the adolescent medicine block rotation for pediatric residents to elicit descriptive and qualitative information concerning the nature of residents' ambulatory care training experience in adolescent medicine and the workforce issues that affect the experience. RESULTS: Required adolescent medicine topics that are well covered pertain to normal development, interviewing, and sexual issues. Those least well covered concern the effects of violence, motor vehicle safety, sports medicine, and chronic illness. Shortages of adolescent medicine specialists, addictions counselors, psychiatrists, and other health professionals who are knowledgeable about adolescents frequently limit pediatric residencytraining in adolescent medicine. Considerable variation exists inthe timing of the mandatory adolescent medicine block rotation, the clinic sites used for ambulatory care training, and the range of services offered at the predominant training sites. In addition, residents' continuity clinic experience often does not include adolescent patients; thus, pediatric residents do not have opportunitiesto establish ongoingtherapeutic relationships with adolescents over time. Both program and rotation directors had similar opinions about adolescent medicine training. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation and gaps exist in adolescent medicine ambulatory care training in pediatric residency programs through-outthe United States. For addressingthe shortcomings in many programs, the quality of the block rotation should be improved and efforts should be made to teach adolescent medicine in continuity, general pediatric, and specialty clinics. In addition, renewed attention should be given to articulating the core competencies needed to care for adolescents.