Certification, accreditation, and specialization in the 1990s.

Subspecialization was one of the inevitable consequences of merging medicine with science in the early years of this century. The differentiation of human endeavors increases exponentially with new knowledge, technology, and services. Our current patterns of accreditation, certification, and graduate medical education are being seriously challenged by new patterns of subspecialization. How realistically and creatively we respond to this challenge will be a key element in preserving the management of these functions primarily within the purview of the profession.