Development of a Bright Futures curriculum for pediatric residents

To develop a standardized case-based curriculum for pediatric residents on child growth, development, behavior, and adolescent medicine that incorporates the Bright Futures health supervision guidelines.

This project included a needs assessment, development of a list of important topics, writing and revising of standardized cases, formative evaluation of cases, and efficacy pilot testing of 2 cases.

A large pediatric teaching hospital continuity clinic.

Pediatric residents, fellows, and faculty.

Preparation of standardized cases, facilitator training, and resident-led teaching conferences.

Learner and facilitator evaluation forms and two 10-item diagnostic skills assessments.

During the project, faculty-fellow teams wrote 29 case-teaching modules. All participants gave high ratings to cases, and resident facilitators reported increased comfort with the case discussion method. Resident learners' ability to accurately interpret developmental screening tests and growth charts improved following sessions on those topics.

Further evaluation is required, but these standardized cases appear promising for teaching pediatric residents. The curriculum is now freely available to faculty nationwide.