Promoting Scholarly Activity in Pediatric Postgraduate Training: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Pediatric Training Programs
• Scholarly Activity Promotion

Background:

• Limited guidance exists for integrating scholarly activities into pediatric postgraduate training.
• Enhancing scholarly output is crucial for developing well-rounded pediatric specialists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on interventions designed to promote scholarly activity among pediatric trainees.
• To identify effective strategies for increasing resident and fellow participation in research and academic pursuits.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and ProQuest ERIC.
• Studies reporting interventions to boost scholarly activity in pediatric residents and fellows were included.
• Interventions were categorized, and outcomes such as presentations and publications were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 23 studies were included, evaluating interventions like specialized electives, curricula, mentorship, and administrative mandates.
• 81% of studies with comparison data showed improved scholarly activity in intervention groups.
• Specialized electives/streams and short-term curricula were associated with increased presentations and publications.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-based interventions effectively promote scholarly activity in pediatric trainees.
• Specialized electives and short curricula offer a time-efficient approach to enhancing scholarly output.
• Further research is needed to rigorously assess interventions, especially in quality improvement and medical education.