The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) has defined the optimal attitudes, knowledge, clinical judgment, technical skills, and interpersonal skills that applicants should possess in its 1974 publication, Foundations for Evaluating the Competency of Pediatricians. Program directors must certify that each applicant who has received training under their supervision is prepared for independent responsibility as a general pediatrician. Since 1976, program directors have been asked to evaluate their residents in the areas of (1) interpersonal relationships with patients and families, (2) interpersonal relationships with other members of the health care team, and (3) work habits and personal qualities. Beginning in 1982, the ABP has requested that program directors also evaluate and attest to the applicant's ethical and moral behavior as it affects his or her professional performance. An applicant will not be admitted to the Board's examinations unless the program director attests to reasonable character traits. The ABP holds the opinion that this evaluation is reasonable and just, on the basis that medical care rendered is often influenced by the provider's professional standards of conduct. In 1982, a Medical Ethics Subcommittee of the Written Examination Committee was formed. The committee was charged to consider the feasibility of examining candidates in the area of medical ethics. This paper has been written to inform program directors and future candidates of the decision by the ABP to include interpersonal skills and ethical decision making as one of the subject areas in which candidates will be examined for certification and/or recertification. SECTION 1: INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR Physician Attitudes Pediatricians must understand that the possession of medical knowledge and procedural competence must be accompanied by a sincere commitment to his or her patients and families.
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