Regional Residency Cooperatives

In an effort to increase communication and exchange ideas, pediatric program directors in Southern California have been meeting on a consistent basis since 1979. Communication previous to that was on a superficial basis and only as needed. This contact usually involved transfers of residents or arrangements for electives. It has become increasingly evident over the ensuing years that the pediatric program directors had worked in isolation within their own institutions without support groups of peers working in areas of mutual concern and interest. There was also a feeling of frustration based on the lack of explicit training in the area of education and on the fact that individuals assigned to direct residency programs had primary responsibility to other divisions and that the residency program was just one of many responsibilities. A potential source of support is program directors in other specialty areas within the institution, but differences in educational requirements