A wilderness medicine course for pediatric residents

To design a structured curriculum to teach pediatric residents about wilderness medicine.

An increasing number of children are involved in more rigorous and potentially risky outdoor activities. Despite the breadth of exposure characteristic of most pediatric residences, we are aware of no formalized syllabus that prepares residents to both treat injuries sustained in outdoor pursuits, and help parents and children to prepare safely for such activities.

The first half of the course was designed to teach a broad range of topics in wilderness medicine through a series of readings, lectures, and field trips. The second half of the course involved a six-day course in wilderness skills.

Over a three-week period, the major topics of wilderness medicine were thoroughly covered. The three residents involved in the planning and execution of the course felt that the course succeeded in filling an important gap in their pediatric residency training.

The addition of a structured wilderness medicine elective to pediatric residencies, with or without a field component, may provide a valuable opportunity for pediatric residents to broaden their skills and knowledge base to include these increasingly important topics.