On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 02:06:41 -0500, Marsha Glass <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Forgive me, Jean, if I offended.  WIC does a marvelous job.  They are a
>network already in place that is the logical organization to support
>breastfeeding mothers and they are doing a great job in our state.  My
>point was that, due to new requirements within that organization in our
>state, some people are taking and passing the IBCLC exam who are not
>qualified experientially to do so.  Some of them are just as committed
>as we are to breastfeeding support and some are not.  I just worry that
>our credential, IBCLC, will be diminished because of this type of issue.
>I do not doubt that there are others, not in the WIC program, who would
>also fit that description.  It sounds like your WIC office is a dream
>come true for breastfeeding mothers and I know we have some similar ones
>in our state.  But they aren't all.  Just like some hospital based
>IBCLC's don't know much beyond the run-of-the-mill stuff.  I still
>maintain that there needs to be a tiered credentialing system or some
>way of assuring that anyone who has these initials after their name has
>more than just book knowledge to help moms with.  So.I am not
>territorial.  I did not mean to slight WIC.  I am grateful for what you
>all contribute to this cause of supporting breastfeeding mothers.
>
>

Marsha,
Wow.  What a perfect world it would be if EVERYBODY who was credetialed for
ANYTHING was equally qualified and committed to their craft.  As someone
else mentioned, the letters after one's name do not necessarily mean
perfectly qualified, and I believe that was your point, too.  The problem
is, no test or credentialling body can ever be capable of ensuring that the
people with those letters are consistently practising the craft the way it
was intended.

There are excellent IBCLCs and scary ones.  Excellent MDs and scary ones.
Excellent RNs and scary ones.  Excellent teachers and scary ones... the list
goes on.  The point is, what is your solution to the problem?  How can any
credentialling body really ensure that the people whom they credentialed are
not giving wacky advice that may actually be harmful?  Man, I can tell you
I've seen some IBCLCs give some truly harmful advice, doctors and nurses,
too.  So, what's the answer?  We recertify, take ed hours, re-take exams...
 but none of that is an insurance policy.

Theresa

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