Pediatric training in family practice: a core curriculum

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatrics
• Family Medicine

Background:

• Current pediatric residency guidelines emphasize rotation length and patient volume, not demonstrated competence.
• Existing metrics do not guarantee adequate pediatric skills for family practice physicians.
• There is a need for a more effective approach to pediatric training in family medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a competency-based pediatric core curriculum.
• To create a curriculum grounded in the actual pediatric experiences of family practice residents.
• To establish a framework for evaluating resident and curriculum effectiveness in pediatrics.

Main Methods:

• Defined specific pediatric knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for family physicians.
• Clarified the family physician's role in managing pediatric conditions.
• Integrated the curriculum into daily practice and resident evaluations.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed and implemented a competency-based pediatric core curriculum.
• The curriculum provides a clear basis for assessing resident competence in pediatrics.
• The new curriculum is tailored to the realities of pediatric care in family practice.

Conclusions:

• Competency-based curricula are essential for effective pediatric training in family medicine.
• The developed curriculum provides a model for other family practice residencies.
• This approach ensures family physicians are well-prepared to provide quality pediatric care.