Structure of the Book

This book contains three basic types of chapters. The first type comprises 56 case-based chapters based on common chief complaints found typically in specific practice sites within pediatrics:

Embedded within these sections and two additional sections (Section I: Introduction to the Competencies and Section VIII: Applications and Challenges) are 47 non–case-based chapters that deal with unique aspects of pediatrics such as survival tools for the resident and teamwork skills.

Finally, there are five Teaching Visuals chapters. These chapters are meant to reinforce the concept that in order to teach a subject the student must have mastery of the material. These chapters provide not only useful review of key material, but also tips on how to educate patients and their families.

Organizing Structure

At the turn of this millennium, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) introduced the six competencies into the language of medical instruction. Medical educators must now verify that trainees are competent in Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practice.¹ Each of these competencies is explained and expanded in the next several introductory sections. In each case-based chapter, the six ACGME competencies are color coded for easy identification: