Critical incidents as a technique for teaching professionalism.

BACKGROUND: The issue of professional behavior in medicine has been extensively discussed in the medical literature and clarity regarding what constitutes professional behavior, and strategies for assessing professionalism have begun to emerge. AIM: To address the information gap on effective strategies for teaching professionalism. METHODS: The critical incident technique (CIT) established by Flanagan has proven to be a useful way to structure teaching and/or evaluation of professionalism. RESULTS: By analyzing 'real-life' occurrences of unprofessional behavior with learners, the CIT yields common terminology and definitions of professionalism that can be explored within a structured framework for discussion. CONCLUSIONS: CIT is a versatile strategy as it can be utilized with varied audiences (e.g., students, faculty), in a wide array of settings (e.g., workshops, grand rounds). Examples of CIT use associated with teaching professionalism are reviewed and key features associated with its success are identified.

The pediatrician's role in recognizing and intervening in postpartum depression.

Increasing evidence of postpartum depression is encouraging pediatricians to include screening and intervention for postpartum depression in standard newborn and infant care. Pediatricians have the most frequent exposure to mothers and infants in the most high-risk time period and they have a vested interest in the well-being of the child and mother. Because the time required to achieve basic screening and referral services is minimal, there is enough evidence that postpartum screening and intervention are crucial components of comprehensive newborn and infant care. It is incumbent upon pediatricians to screen for and intervene in cases of postpartum depression to provide thorough care for infants and their families.