Development, implementation, and evaluation of a simulation-based educational curriculum for pediatric hospitalists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• Simulation-Based Training

Background:

• Limited simulation-based training exists for pediatric hospitalists.
• Pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) requires specific knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• A needs assessment was crucial for developing targeted educational interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) knowledge, skill, and competency needs.
• To evaluate the impact of a targeted simulation-based training curriculum on physician competency.
• To assess learner satisfaction and perceived clinical value of the simulation curriculum.

Main Methods:

• Administered baseline and post-training surveys to 48 physicians using a 5-point competency scale.
• Developed a simulation curriculum based on identified needs and low baseline competency areas.
• Analyzed self-assessment scores using signed-rank and McNemar's tests; collected post-training evaluations.

Main Results:

• Lowest baseline competencies were in advanced airway management (38%), vascular access/medications (38%), and code cart skills (19%).
• Post-training scores significantly improved in five of nine domains, particularly for those initially "not competent".
• Competency increased significantly in advanced airway management, code cart skills, and complex care; 95% applied learned skills.

Conclusions:

• Baseline self-assessments effectively guided curriculum design for pediatric hospitalists.
• Simulation training led to significant competency gains and high learner satisfaction.
• The curriculum positively impacted patient care, highlighting the value of simulation in PHM.