The International Pediatric Headache Didactic Series: A Novel Curriculum Innovation

The International Pediatric Headache Didactic Series (IPHDS) was developed to provide free, comprehensive pediatric headache education to healthcare professionals worldwide. The objective of this study was to describe the design, implementation, and impact of this prospective educational intervention.

Headache is the most common neurological symptom within the pediatric population. Yet, only nine fellowships are offered in pediatric headache medicine. Limitations in access to education and training are often cited as reasons for diagnostic and management barriers. To address this gap, the IPHDS was established in July 2022.

IPHDS is a recurring series consisting of 23 biweekly lectures. Lectures are delivered virtually via Zoom and available for asynchronous learning on an open-access website. Lecture topics are based on the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties' curriculum recommendations. Pre- and post-surveys were developed collaboratively by content experts and administered to attendees. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis.

From July 2022 to July 2023, over 480 people signed up for IPHDS. Lecture attendees represented a variety of clinical backgrounds including advanced practice providers (26.4%, n = 128/484), MD/DO headache providers (25.4%, n = 123/484), adult headache fellows (12.6%, n = 61/484), pediatric headache fellows (10.3%, n = 50/484), residents (8.1%, n = 39/484), clinical nurses (8.1%, n = 39/484), MD/DO neurology (non-headache) providers (2.1%, n = 10/484), researchers (1.6%, n = 8/484), medical students (1.4%, n = 7/484), orofacial pain providers (1.0%, n = 5/484), psychologists (<1%, n = 3/484), and pharmacists (<1%, n = 3/484). Lecture attendees represented nine countries and 31 US states. Median attendance for live lectures was 34.0 people [interquartile range: 28.3-42.5], and median viewership of the posted lectures to date was 79.0 views [interquartile range: 52.0-93.0]. Prior to attending IPHDS, only 56.7% (n = 230/406) of participants reported being competent or very competent in headache medicine knowledge. After attending IPHDS, 76.9% (n = 40/52) of participants reported being competent or very competent in knowledge of headache medicine, as indicated in their post-survey. Similarly, 78.8% (n = 41/52) of participants indicated that this didactic series moderately or significantly added to their knowledge of pediatric headache medicine.

This novel didactic series successfully delivered free pediatric headache education to healthcare professionals worldwide. Furthermore, this didactic series serves as a framework for other subspecialties looking to disseminate education from specialists in the field. IPHDS continues on an annual basis, following the academic calendar year, and now holds continuing medical education accreditation.