Melissa: I absoutely agree that just because someone has a credential or
degree it does not connote quality in science or practice, or even the more
subtle 'art' that is required. Yes, everyone needs to start somewhere, but
in reality I wouldn't want an MD doing a procedure on me for the first time
anymore than I want a certified lactation specialist (aka non-IBCLC) giving
care to one of my relatives or future grandchildren (my kids are 3, 6,
and11).
I do not advocate medical deregulation because I don't want the market to
shake out disreputable or ill-prepared physicians or drugs/pharmaceuticals
that don't work or are unsafe. I am also of the belief that regulatory
agencies (or pseudo/voluntary agencies) can become corrupt and fail to do
their job; however, I have yet to see any evidence that the IBLCE is one of
those). Some libertarians and free market economists have actually
endorsed eliminating the FDA and all licensing boards, not to mention
certifying bodies. I shudder to think how consumers would pay while the
"market" eventually found equilibrium.
The "gold standard" of an IBCLC is merely a starting point...a minimum
standard, and a voluntary one at that. For many, LLLI is their training
ground; and before that, their own babies were their individual training.
For those who don't have LLLI, they need intern experiences that explicitly
state to the patients that they are in-training and are not to be considered
the primary source. That doesn't mean that they don't have mounds of
knowledge and/or practical experience. It means that they haven't been
objectively compared yet via testing (and the pre-reqs of education and
contact hours) to the gold standard...nothing more, nothing less. And yes,
I did attend an accredited School of Public Health (at last count, I believe
there were only 25 in the US); I wouldn't have done it any other way.
I encourage all health agencies and individuals to utilize/hire and refer to
board certified professionals whenever one is available in the specialty of
concern. Does this mean that a Board Certified person will never commit
malpractice? Absolutely not! It does however take some of the burden off
the individual consumer to become an expert in every aspect of quality
management in every service they seek.
I strongly believe that each one of us should be taking moments "off our
patients' clocks" to educate other professionals and consumers as to what an
IBCLC is and how this compares to other lactation professionals. Yes, there
are many wise lactation professionals with more years of experience than I
who have out of protest refused to sit for the exam. They may know
tremedous amounts and have mastered artfully the intricacies of nearly every
lactation problem...but then again, anyone can call themselves a "lactation
specialist."
For what it's worth, I after 12 years+ years, I still learn something from
every bf dyad. The day I stop learning is the day I have vowed I will stop
seeing lactation patients.
'Stepping down from a very tall soap box,
Chris
--
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask]
INFANT CUISINE AND MOTHER CARE: Lactation Consulting, Perinatal Health
Education and Attachment Parenting Classes for parents and practitioners
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