Confirmation. Practice behavior for treatment of new morbidity disorders reflects residency experience

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate congruence between practice and residency training in the treatment of children with five "new morbidity" disorders. Data were obtained through mailed questionnaires. Counseling and behavior modification, without medications, were used for all five disorders by respondents most recently completing pediatric residency. Medications were used more frequently by pediatricians who had completed their residency training longer ago, particularly for nocturnal enuresis and chronic abdominal pain. The most recent graduates tended to treat a larger number of children with temper tantrums and separation anxiety. This is believed to result from more recent graduates being more comfortable and confident in recognizing and treating these conditions. In contrast, no association was noted between year in which residency was completed and number of children treated for nocturnal enuresis and chronic abdominal pain. This results from parents volunteering these symptomatic conditions since they perceive them to be medical problems.