Disability is a problem that affects more and more children and adolescents. But in the course of our graduate and postgraduate education, we have received practically no training in this regard. A pediatrician is the primary care physician of every child and adolescent, and the above-mentioned lack of training becomes a hurdle in the care provided to children with disabilities. Our idea of diversity is clearly determined by our culture and the social and family environment where we grew up, and is highly influenced by our human and extracurricular development rather than by our medical training. Every course involved in professional training should include a subject on disability. As pediatricians, we should reflect on how we see children with disabilities.
La empatía es un atributo esencial para ejercer la medicina. Dicha conducta es posible porque se aúnan factores biológicos, psicológicos y experienciales. La erosión de esta conducta se debe, entre múltiples factores, a la presencia del síndrome de burnout. Los jóvenes y aquellos en vías de formación están más expuestos. La sobrecarga laboral más la falta de soporte institucional y de los colegas del staff acrecientan la erosión. Los médicos más antiguos deberían asistir en forma más cercana a los que transitan los primeros años de formación. Se debe poner en práctica la verdadera competencia profesional.
Keywords: Empathy; Professional burnout; Professional competence.
Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.