An innovative approach to patient and family involvement in postgraduate medical education

Although there is growing knowledge surrounding the value of involving patients and families in pediatrics residency training, based on a web-based survey of program directors (PDs) in Departments of Pediatrics across Canada, only 42% reported engaging patients and families in their formal residency curriculum. However, all respondents acknowledged the value of partnering with patients and families. Given this, we developed an educational intervention in partnership with our local Family Advisory Council members, that allows for (a) family voices to be heard and incorporated, and (b) direct interaction and conversation between families and pediatric residents. The intervention was divided into three sections: patient and family stories, a presentation about communicating effectively with parents, and a panel discussion. Overall, both family and resident feedback was overwhelmingly positive; hence, the success of our novel approach highlights the need to consider additional learning opportunities to actively involve patients and/or families within residency education.