Design and implementation of an interactive, competency-based pilot pediatric telemedicine curriculum

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, highlighting a gap in formal training for healthcare professionals, particularly pediatric residents.
• Existing curricula for telemedicine training are scarce, creating a need for structured educational programs to ensure competent virtual care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an interactive, competency-based pilot curriculum for training pediatric residents in telemedicine.
• To assess the feasibility of direct observation for feedback and measure changes in residents' self-reported telemedicine skills.

Main Methods:

• A pilot curriculum was created in 2020, incorporating didactic sessions, case-based discussions, and direct observation.
• A precepting model aligned with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines was developed for outpatient general pediatrics.
• Pre- and post-implementation surveys assessed residents' self-reported efficacy in telemedicine visit components.

Main Results:

• 16 residents participated, with 15 completing pre- and post-surveys (93% completion rate).
• Significant improvements were observed in residents' self-reported efficacy for telemedicine visit completion (p=0.023), initiation (p=0.01), and documentation (p=0.001).
• Direct observation was widely adopted, with 15 out of 16 residents completing the exercise.

Conclusions:

• The novel telemedicine curriculum effectively enhances pediatric residents' skills and confidence in delivering virtual care.
• The curriculum addresses ACGME competencies and equips residents with essential tools for modern healthcare practice.
• The findings support the integration of such training programs to meet the growing demands of telemedicine in pediatrics.