ADOLESCENT MEDICINE IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE - A SURVEY OF PRACTICE AND TRAINING

This study was designed to assess the relation between training in ado lescent medicine, during and after residency, and self-reported practi ce of adolescent medicine. This is a cross-sectional study. A question naire was mailed to all members of the South Carolina Chapter of the A merican Academy of Pediatrics. After 2 mailings, 198 (83%) questionnai res were returned. Adolescent medicine training in residency was assoc iated with more adolescent patients enrolled in a practice (P < 0.01) and more adolescent patient visits (P < 0.01) but not with an increase in perceived competence in the practice of adolescent medicine. Adole scent medicine continuing medical education was associated with seeing more adolescent patients and with increased competence in many areas, including contraceptives, suicide, and school problems (P < 0.05). Tr aining in adolescent medicine during and after residency is associated with treating more adolescent patients. Continuing medical education also is associated with increased perceived competence in areas relate d to adolescents.