EDUCATION

I am glad to write you a note in support of my opinion that the time has come to increase the required pediatric training in hospitals for Board certification in Pediatrics from 2 to 3 years. I must state at the beginning that I don't believe that one can advocate this increased requirement as a necessity in absolute terms. The whole concept of the desirability of Board certification in any field has been challenged repeatedly, although I believe any objections that have been raised to such organizations apply less to pediatrics than to any other program. American children, in my opinion, are immensely better off due to the establishment of the Board of Pediatrics and the Academy of Pediatrics.