Outcomes evaluation of the 2005 National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows' Conference

Evaluate the effectiveness of the 2005 National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows' Conference in achieving predefined objectives in scholarship, leadership, and partnership.

Preconference and postconference questionnaires measured knowledge, research-related confidence, beliefs about institutional support for emergency medical services for children (EMSC) research, and intentions to engage in 7 specific behaviors relating to scholarship, leadership, and partnership. Bivariate correlations among the variables were assessed. Repeated-measures analysis of variance measured change between preconference and postconference measures. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models identified predictors of postconference intentions to engage in each of the 7 specific behaviors controlling for preconference intentions.

Ninety-two pediatric emergency medicine fellows attended; more than 90% completed preconference and postconference questionnaires, and 88% completed both. Knowledge (P < 0.001) and confidence (P < 0.001) improved after the conference. Increases were observed in fellows' intentions to establish national mentoring relationships (P < 0.001), continue in EMSC research (P = 0.003), and participate in national collaborations (P = 0.022). Confidence and subjective norms correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with each of the behavioral intentions in bivariate tests. In the multivariable regression models, confidence correlated with 4 behavioral intentions (P < 0.02), and subjective norms correlated with one (P < 0.001). Forty-eight percent established a mentoring relationship with a faculty member; 25% planned to collaborate on research with other attendees.

The 2005 National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows' Conference resulted in positive, measurable outcomes relating to the professional development of attendees, including increased conference-specific knowledge, confidence, and intentions to continue in EMSC research, join national collaborative research networks, and establish national mentoring relationships.