An educational strategy for teaching psychosocial pediatrics

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Child Psychiatry
• Medical Education

Background:

• Psychosocial problems are common in children.
• Effective diagnosis and management require specialized training.
• Ambulatory settings offer valuable learning opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the operational approach of two outpatient clinics.
• To illustrate a model for teaching psychosocial problem-solving to trainees.
• To highlight the role of ambulatory care in pediatric education.

Main Methods:

• Description of the Pediatric Family Clinic's functions.
• Description of the Child Psychiatric Consultative Service's operations.
• Focus on learning experiences within these clinics.

Main Results:

• The described clinics provide a framework for training.
• Residents and medical students gain experience in diagnosing and managing pediatric psychosocial issues.
• Ambulatory settings facilitate practical skill development.

Conclusions:

• The described outpatient clinic model effectively trains pediatric and family practice residents.
• This approach enhances the ability of future physicians to address children's psychosocial needs.
• Integrating psychosocial training into ambulatory pediatric care is crucial.