[Accreditation process of pediatric healthcare professionals in Chile]

In Chile since 1984, the Autonomous Corporation for Certification of Medical Specialties (CONACEM) has certified 12,294 medical specialists. The Pediatrics discipline began its certification processes in 1984; it had certified 1,329 specialists by December, 2012. There are three possible ways to get certified: a) to have passed the Training Graduate Degree Program, taken by 57% of the applicants; b) to meet the requirements for Training in Practice for 5 years, achieved by 39% of applicants; c) to have been trained oversees according to validated programs. There are 11 accredited 3-year long university programs, which take place in Santiago and Provinces with a total annual capacity of 96 students. With the exception of doctors approved by accredited medical university programs, the rest of the applicants must pass a practical examination. A written examination has been added since 2002, whose approval is required to take the practical examination, which has proven to have good discrimination (22% average rejection in 11 years). The certifications granted today are good for 10 years and recertification is good for 7 years. The expiration of the certification process is related to recertification. This review discusses the reasons behind it and discusses the requirements and a table of credits to complete. Current legislation requires the action of at least one certification body, a condition that has been legally and uniquely granted by the Ministry of Health to CONACEM since 2/11/2014.