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Objectives Simulation is a commonly used modality to teach paediatric procedural skills, however, it is resource intensive. Which paediatric skills are best taught using simulation is not known. This study aims to examine what skills to simulate, allowing for the best use of resources in ever expanding curricula. Method We administered a questionnaire to community and hospitalist general paediatricians in Canada asking them to rate the importance of maintaining competency in each paediatric procedural skill and the frequency with which they perform the skill in their practice. Results Skills that were rated as highly important and also high frequency were: bag-mask ventilation (BMV), lumbar puncture, neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), specimen procurement for infectious diseases, immunization, and ear curettage. Skills that were rated as highly important but low frequency were: paediatric CPR, intraosseous needle insertion, neonatal intubation, defibrillation, gathering specimens for evidence of child maltreatment, paediatric intubation, cervical spine immobilization, and oral/nasogastric tube placement. Conclusion Paediatric procedural skills are rated variably in terms of importance and frequency of use in general paediatric practice. Eight skills of high importance are infrequently performed and should be targeted for teaching via simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) objectives for training in pediatrics include 26 procedural skills, 11 of which are included in the final in-training evaluation report (FITER). The importance of each procedure for practice and the preparedness of pediatric residency graduates to perform these procedures are not known. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all pediatric residency program directors and members of the RCPSC Specialty Committee in Pediatrics (N = 21) in October 2010, requesting them to rate the perceived importance and preparedness of graduating pediatric residents in all procedural skills on a 5 point Likert scale, as well as the presence of a curriculum and documentation for each procedure. Mean importance and preparedness were calculated for each procedure. Results: Response rate was 16/21 (76 %). Perceived preparedness was significantly lower than importance for the majority of procedures (p < 0.05). Ten procedures had a high mean importance rating (>3) but a low mean preparedness rating (<3). Presence of a curriculum and documentation for procedures varied across centers, and their presence was correlated with both perceived importance and preparedness (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Many procedures in which pediatric residents are required to be competent by the RCPSC are felt to be important. Residents are not felt to be adequately prepared in several of the required procedures by the time of graduation. Procedures with high ratings of importance but low preparedness ratings should be targeted for curricular interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Medical education relies heavily on workplace learning where trainees are educated through their clinical experience. Few studies have explored trainees' perceptions of the educational value of these patient care experiences. The aim of this study was to identify pediatric patient characteristics that medical trainees perceive as educationally valuable., Methods: Over 2 months, trainees on pediatric inpatient wards ranked the perceived educational value of patients under their care on a 4-point bipolar Likert scale. Three patient characteristics were examined: complex-chronic and noncomplex-chronic preexisting conditions, difficult social circumstances, and rare diseases. Patient-level predictors of cases perceived as educationally valuable (defined as scores≥3) were examined by using univariate and multivariate analyses., Results: A total of 325 patients were rated by 51 trainees (clinical medical students [45%], first-year residents [29%], third-year residents/fellows [26%]). Rare diseases had a higher educational value score (adjusted odds ratio 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.08-2.88, P=.02). Complex-chronic and noncomplex-chronic preexisting conditions and difficult social circumstances did not affect the perceived educational value., Conclusions: Trainees attribute the most educational value to caring for patients with rare diseases. Although trainees' perceptions of learning do not necessarily reflect actual learning, they may influence personal interest and limit learning from an educational experience. Knowledge of trainee perceptions of educational experience therefore can direct medical educators' approaches to inpatient education., (Copyright © 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)