General emergency physician perceptions of caring for children: A qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Medical Education Research
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Emergency physicians manage most pediatric cases in U.S. emergency departments (EDs).
• Pediatric exposure during emergency medicine (EM) residency is variable, with limited encounters of critically ill children.
• Physicians report feeling less prepared for pediatric conditions, with infants posing unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore emergency physician perspectives on caring for pediatric patients.
• To understand the perceived challenges and educational needs of recent EM graduates regarding pediatric care.

Main Methods:

• An interview-based qualitative study design was employed.
• In-depth virtual interviews were conducted with 12 emergency physicians who graduated residency between 2015-2019.
• Conventional content analysis was used to identify themes from transcribed interviews.

Main Results:

• Three major themes emerged: (1) experience and exposure are crucial for comfort, (2) simulation and specific rotations (e.g., pediatric anesthesia) are beneficial, and (3) unique emotional challenges exist in pediatric care.
• Participants recommended increased autonomy, neonate exposure, and consideration of community setting differences in EM pediatric education.
• Physicians highlighted the need for enhanced preparedness in managing diverse pediatric conditions.

Conclusions:

• This study provides insight into the perceived experiences of recent emergency physicians caring for children.
• Findings underscore the importance of targeted educational strategies to improve pediatric emergency medicine training.
• Recommendations focus on enhancing physician confidence and competence in managing pediatric emergencies.