The Professors of Child Neurology (PCN)is our organization to advocate for the training of Child Neurologists and Neurodevelopmental Pediatricians. As such, we play critical roles in supporting training programs, program directors, program coordinators and residents (fellows) in our training programs. We serve at the interface between our professional organization, the Child Neurology Society, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the Neurology Residency Review Committee (RRC), the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), and the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS).
Despite the name, one need not be a Professor to belong to the PCN. One should be a program director or a chief of a division of child neurology or of neurodevelopmental pediatrics to become a member. It is not necessary to have an academic appointment. A special category of membership has been developed for our program coordinators. Membership dues are modest and the benefits to the members are considerable.
For example, a core curriculum has been developed and is available to our training programs. Tools for resident evaluation are available on our website. Discussion are also available for members. Our annual meeting precedes the CNS meeting, and this year we will discuss the Match, Match rules, subspecialty training in child neurology (Epilepsy, Neurophysiology, Sleep, Neurocritical Care, etc.)and physician burnout, a priority of both the ACGME and the ABPN.
This is a remarkable time for our profession, and many challenges face us. Since we have been designated as a separate residency from adult neurology, our training program accreditations stand alone; we no longer are totally dependent upon our adult program partner. So we may develop some of our own subspecialty training programs, although the requirements for these have not changed and are still very adult-oriented. Our workforce estimates suggest that we are not training enough child neurologists or neurodevelopmental pediatricians to replace those of us that are retiring. The regulatory requirements for residents, fellows and residency programs are more complex than ever. The PCN is your voice in these matters. If eligible, become a member and participate in forming our responses to these opportunities and challenges. Take advantage of the expertise that members of the PCN bring to our discussions and our annual meeting.