Impact of an Interactive, Case-Based Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Curriculum on General Pediatric...

Nutrition management is essential for disease prevention and improvement of clinical outcomes in children. However, pediatric trainees routinely acknowledge knowledge gaps in nutrition management. We designed and implemented an interactive, case-based module for pediatric residents to facilitate knowledge acquisition and retention of high-yield pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition topics.

Curriculum development followed the Kern model. A formal needs assessment was conducted among current pediatric residents to identify priority topics that were aligned with the American Board of Pediatrics Exam Content Outline. Through an iterative review process, eight 15-minute case-based modules were created with specific educational objectives and delivered weekly during resident continuity clinic by general pediatric faculty. Each session included structured discussion prompts and teaching guides to ensure consistency. Residents completed pre- and postsession assessments for each module and a 9-month follow-up assessment to evaluate knowledge retention.

A total of 57 pediatric residents received the curriculum from August to October 2023. A mean of 32 paired pre- and postsession assessments were completed per module. Knowledge scores significantly improved postsession (p < .05) for seven of eight modules, with a mean score increase of 20%. Eighty-four percent of previous learners completed the 9-month follow-up assessment. There was no statistically significant difference between postsession and follow-up knowledge test scores for seven of eight modules, suggesting knowledge retention.

A brief, interactive, case-based curriculum on high-yield topics within pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition facilitates both acquisition and retention of knowledge among general pediatrics trainees in an academic primary care clinic.