Program Goal

The purpose of the UCSF Training Program in Pediatric Endocrinology is to provide trainees with the background needed to diagnose and manage endocrine diseases and to understand the physiology of hormonal regulation in infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. The Program emphasizes fundamentals of clinical diagnosis and management, with special emphasis on history taking, physical examination, and interpretation of pertinent laboratory data. Graduates of the program are expected to be proficient in clinical care, both direct and consultative; in research, either clinical or basic; and in teaching and administration.

B. Specific

To implement the general goals stated above, our program is specifically designed to fulfill the following specific goals:

1. To understand the normal physiology of the various endocrine glands and hormones
(the "endocrine system") .

2. To understand the common diseases and abnormal physiology of the endocrine system.

3. To know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat the common disorders of the endocrine system.

4. To understand the systematic, scientific approach to disorders of the endocrine system that will permit
accurate diagnosis and treatment of uncommon endocrine disorders.

5. To understand the systematic, scientific approach to gaining new information about endocrine systems
and diseases.

6. To become proficient in at least one area of endocrine research.

7. To become conversant with established approaches, principles, and ethics of preparing and publishing
research findings.

8. To publish one or more original first authored research papers in a major journal.

9. To gain experience in teaching medical students and pediatric residents, and in the formal presentation
of lectures, rounds and conferences.

10. To learn some of the history of endocrinology, participate in its present history, and continue the legacy
by learning to teach and inspire future generations.

Trainees learn about pertinent aspects of genetics, including molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, the phenotypic manifestations of endocrine genetic disorders and genetic counseling.