Training pediatricians.(Correspondance)(Letter to the Editor)

A recent item in the CMA Bulletin (1) discussed a proposal from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) to reduce the number of PGY-1 training programs from approximately 30 to just a few "generalist competency" training streams. This proposal has been presented as an alternative to the "common PGY-1 year," previously discussed as a model to improve medical students' flexibility in deciding on a career path.

The Residents Section of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), representing over 500 pediatric residents in Canada, has a mandate to examine and ensure the quality of pediatric training in Canada. In a recent survey, members of the Residents Section expressed interest in the common PGY-1 year and emphasized the importance of retaining 4 years of pediatric training to allow proper development of the skills of Canada's pediatricians. (2) Allowing for additional flexibility in residency training while encouraging residents' interests in a given specialty during their first year of training might also accomplish the goal of preventing early and later-regretted career decisions. We are therefore pleased that pediatric ...