You Need Teachers
The excellent review article by Leffert1 and the accompanying commentary by Bergner2 made important points regarding the changing role of the pediatric allergist and the broad requirements for knowledge of any physicians who are to provide specialty care for children with asthma. While the current state of the art allows a high degree of control for this disease,3 considerable morbidity from inadequately treated asthma persists. This situation is unlikely to change rapidly unless departments of pediatrics place a high priority on ensuring that the modern allergist described by Dr. Bergner is on their faculty to teach the current housestaff and provide continuing education for the practitioner; only then will most general pediatricians be able to assume the role envisioned by Dr. Leffert.