Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatrics
• General Practice

Background:

• General Practitioners (GPs) are central to pediatric care in France.
• Maternal and Child Protection Services (MCP) offer preventive pediatric care and host GP interns.
• Understanding stakeholder perspectives on MCP internships is crucial for optimizing training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and cross-reference the viewpoints of stakeholders regarding general practice internships within Maternal and Child Protection Services.

Main Methods:

• A 2019 cross-sectional survey was conducted in metropolitan France.
• Data collected from 286 GPs, 77 MCP representatives, and 16 Departments of General Practice (DGP).
• Inquiries focused on internship organization, content, and expected pediatric outcomes.

Main Results:

• GP internships in MCP are characterized by non-standardized practices in duration, supervision, medical acts, and tools.
• Consensus exists on skill development in screening/prevention, parental support, and awareness of the child's environment.
• Skill acquisition is incomplete in child protection and insufficient for acute pathologies; links between DGP and MCP are weak.

Conclusions:

• MCP internships equip GPs with essential prevention and daily pediatrics experience.
• Enhanced coordination between DGP and MCP is necessary.
• Joint internships, particularly with hospital pediatrics, should be developed for more robust training.