Intern learning and education in a short stay unit. A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatric Healthcare
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• The short stay unit (SSU) is an increasingly common model in pediatric healthcare.
• Understanding intern learning experiences within this setting is crucial for optimizing medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pediatric interns' perceptions of their learning during rotations in a short stay unit (SSU).

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, case-based study was conducted.
• Ten pediatric interns from a tertiary care hospital participated.
• Focused, open-ended interviews were conducted and analyzed for thematic content.

Main Results:

• Interns reported favorable educational experiences in the SSU.
• Key themes influencing learning included attending physician roles, SSU organization, and teaching strategies.
• Collaboration with nursing staff impacted patient care but not intern learning.

Conclusions:

• The SSU environment, particularly the clustering of straightforward diagnoses, positively impacted interns' educational experiences.