In Reply.—While I am in agreement with Dr Grossman's perspective on the "rigorous research" mandate for some academic generalists in pediatrics, her letter suggests that she missed the point of the editorial. I implied that teaching is the primary work of teachers and that excellence in teaching springs out of extensive experience in practice, an experience that is highlighted by critical thinking and "rigorous" reflection.
Perhaps we ask too much of our teachers in general pediatrics: to teach with wisdom, to conduct research that produces tenure while providing relevant new directions to the practitioner, and to administer programs in patient care and education. My argument suggests that, in the attempt to achieve all these objectives, teaching predictably falls short. More important, teaching ambulatory primary care pediatrics requires an ongoing clinical experience with a significant number of children and families through time.
Mickey Mantle recently bemoaned his inability to teach