The Academic Half-Day redesigned: Improving generalism, promoting CanMEDS and developing self-directed learners

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatric Residency Training

Background:

• Concerns with traditional pediatric residency education included insufficient general practice preparation, CanMEDS competency gaps, and over-reliance on lectures.
• The Montreal Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency Program implemented a revised Academic Half-Day curriculum to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a redesigned pediatric residency curriculum on resident preparedness, competency acquisition, and self-directed learning.
• To assess resident perceptions of a new 'systems-based' curriculum incorporating simulation and general pediatrician instructors.

Main Methods:

• A postimplementation online survey using a five-point Likert scale was administered to residents exposed to both old and new curricula.
• The survey assessed perceived retention, general pediatric competencies, self-directed learning, and overall satisfaction with the revised program.

Main Results:

• 78% of residents completed the survey; all preferred the new 'systems-based' curriculum.
• 79% found simulation sessions effective for learning CanMEDS competencies; 71% reported better content retention.
• 79% believed the new curriculum better prepared them for general practice, and 64% felt it supplemented clinical learning.

Conclusions:

• The redesigned curriculum is perceived as comprehensive and effective in preparing pediatric residents for general practice.
• The program fosters essential lifelong learning skills required for future pediatricians.