Teaching Residents About Development and Behavior

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Abstract
PRIMARY CARE pediatricians are challenged by the need to diagnose and treat many children with chronic illness and behavioral and developmental problems. Up to 15% to 20% of all children present to their pediatrician with behavioral or developmental problems at some time during childhood. In addition, up to 10% have a developmental delay and 12% have learning difficulties serious enough to require special education.1,2 Advances in medical technology over the past 20 years have resulted in increased survival of children with premature birth, congenital anomalies, and chronic disease. In addition, more children and families are living in poverty and face stresses related to overcrowding, poor nutrition, and exposure to violence.3 Pediatric primary care providers often feel ill prepared to ask the appropriate screening questions and manage these problems after residency training,4,5 and a number of experts have recognized the urgent need to enhance pediatric residency training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics (DBP).4,6-11

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