MANPOWER AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

A comprehensive assessment of professional activities, training programs, testing procedures, and manpower needs in pediatric cardiology was made by the Sub-board of Pediatric Cardiology of the American Board of Pediatrics from 1967 to 1971. Examination content is the subject of a separate report. Professional activities were determined by questionnaires, diaries, direct observations, and workshops, which revealed that 63% of professional time was devoted to patient care, 6% to research, 6% to teaching, 7% to administration, and 18% to self-education. Ninety percent of the pediatric cardiologists worked full time in hospitals and seventy percent in university medical centers. Training programs should include experience in clinical practice, research, and teaching methods in an environment having adequate facilities for comprehensive care of children with diseases of the cardiovascular system, sufficient numbers of patients, and appropriate staff supervision. The numbers of pediatric cardiologists in cardiac centers and private practice were determined and current professional manpower shortages identified. Opinions also were obtained from pediatric cardiologists in existing training programs and pediatric department chairmen in medical schools concerning the needs anticipated by 1980. Continued support of superior training programs is recommended.