Pediatricians and physical activity counseling: how does residency prepare them for this task?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric education and public health

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for child health, yet many US children do not meet recommended levels.
• Pediatricians are positioned to counsel families on PA, but their training in this area is not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current training methods for physical activity (PA) counseling within US pediatric residency programs.

Main Methods:

• A web-based questionnaire was distributed to 192 US pediatric residency directors.
• 115 programs (60%) responded, providing data on curriculum content, barriers, and attitudes regarding PA counseling.

Main Results:

• Residency curricula primarily focused on knowledge-based PA topics, with minimal emphasis on practical counseling skills.
• While directors recognized the importance of PA counseling, many doubted their ability to influence children's PA levels.
• Key barriers to curriculum development included limited curriculum time, a shortage of trained faculty, and insufficient educational resources.

Conclusions:

• Current pediatric residency training for PA counseling is insufficient, particularly in skill-based components.
• Integrating skills-based training alongside knowledge acquisition may enhance pediatricians' confidence and effectiveness in PA counseling.
• Addressing identified barriers is essential for improving PA counseling education in pediatric residencies.