Essential Areas of Knowledge in Rheumatology for Pediatric Residents: A Modified Delphi Study

Graduating pediatric residents need practical knowledge to recognize, provide initial management, and appropriately triage patients with childhood rheumatologic diseases (cRDs). The pediatric rheumatology workforce shortage and lack of focused American Board of Pediatrics rheumatology content specifications lead to challenges in the adequate education of trainees. The purpose of this study was to define essential knowledge areas in rheumatology for pediatric residents.

A literature search was performed to identify resources pertinent to resident education in pediatric rheumatology. Results were used to inform items on a survey asking, "How important is it for graduating pediatric residents to demonstrate competency in each of these rheumatology-related activities?" Stakeholders in rheumatology-related pediatric resident education were invited to participate in a modified Delphi process. Subsequent surveys were created iteratively based on their responses.

Twenty-one panelists from diverse geographic regions and specialties completed 2 rounds of surveys with a 100% completion rate. Analysis yielded 107 items: those rated by >70% of respondents as "Very Important" were categorized as Essential (n = 54, 47.7%), and those rated by >70% of respondents as either "Very Important" or "Somewhat Important" were categorized as Recommended (n = 55, 52.3%).

Broad content specifications are insufficient to prepare graduating pediatric residents to address cRDs in practice. Given the pediatric rheumatology workforce shortage, access to an expanded, standardized list of critical rheumatology-related competencies is essential to better prepare graduating pediatric residents to evaluate patients with cRDs. These competencies should drive curriculum design to enhance pediatric resident education.