Paediatric musculoskeletal learning needs for general practice trainees: achieving an expert consensus

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Paediatric Musculoskeletal Medicine
• General Practice Training

Background:

• Paediatric musculoskeletal (pMSK) disorders are prevalent but often undertreated due to suboptimal training for general practitioners (GPs).
• Current GP training lacks a standardized curriculum for pMSK medicine, leading to variable exposure and knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve expert consensus on the essential pMSK skills and knowledge for GPs upon training completion.
• To develop a standardized curriculum for pMSK medicine in GP training.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi process involving iterative rounds of expert consultation via email.
• A consensus meeting and focus groups with stakeholders, including GPs, were conducted.
• Items achieving over 80% agreement were incorporated into the final curriculum statement.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive curriculum comprising 12 key statements for pMSK medicine in GP training was developed.
• GP educators provided positive feedback on the curriculum's feasibility and the utility of its components.
• Member checking through focus groups confirmed the relevance and practicality of the curriculum.

Conclusions:

• The expert-derived curriculum addresses critical learning needs in pMSK medicine for GPs.
• Implementation of this curriculum is expected to enhance the recognition and management of paediatric musculoskeletal conditions.
• Standardizing pMSK education in GP training will improve pediatric care outcomes.