Hello, All: Interesting thread to follow. I keep seeing in all the posts
thus far, obvious territorialism. Each poster seems to be saying the route
I went is the route to go in achieving credibility. Most seem to agree
that some sort of formal education is a must. Why can't a program be
developed that includes the rich variety of all backgrounds? The existing
program that I feel comes closest is the UCLA Lactation Training Programs.
These programs are largely ignored by the lactation community - not sure
why. I completed both programs - certified educator and certified
consultant way back in the mid '80s and have served as adjunct faculty over
the years. The beauty of these programs is that they are based on the
medical model, making the philosophy easily understandable to physicians
and hospitals. Lactation management is viewed within the framework as a
clinical skill for the practicioner. Faculty members come from a wide
variety of backgrounds, MD, RN, PT, SLP, RD, etc. Some of these folks also
have LLLI backgrounds as well as psych backgrounds, so that counseling
skills are included in the curriculum. The educational hours earned are at
the master's level, thus allowing the hours to be counted towards a
master's degree that one might be pursuing in another area. I am also
eternally grateful that even back in the 1980's the UCLA faculty had the
foresight to realize that lactation has a strong oral-motor component to
it, the importance of which is just now being realized.
So, rather than arguing which discipline is "best", I propose we put
together an educational program that brings together a faculty who are not
only experts in lactation, but experts in their chosen disciplines,
including LLLI.
Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL USA
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