Child Neurology Education for Pediatric Residents:

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the current state of child neurology education during pediatric residency provides adequate preparation for pediatric practice. A survey was sent to recent graduates from 3 pediatric residency programs to assess graduate experience, perceived level of competence, and desire for further education in child neurology. Responses from generalists versus subspecialists were compared. The response rate was 32%, half in general pediatric practice. Only 22% feel very confident in approaching patients with neurologic problems. This may represent the best-case scenario as graduates from these programs had required neurology experiences, whereas review of Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency curricula revealed that the majority of residencies do not. Pediatric neurologic problems are common, and pediatric residency graduates do encounter such problems in practice. The majority of pediatricians report some degree of confidence; however, some clear areas for improvement are apparent.

Breaking a Cycle of Dependence to Improve Neurology Education: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Residents’ Perspectives

“…This expressed need to learn more neurology aligns with prior surveys of postgraduate pediatricians. 7…”

“…This expressed need to learn more neurology aligns with prior surveys of postgraduate pediatricians. 7 Our participants recommended practical strategies to improve residency training in neurology (Table 2). In addition, they emphasized the need to increase trainee empowerment to learn and practice neurological examination skills and management decisions.…”

“…6 Specifically, pediatric neurologic problems are common in general and subspecialty practice; there is growing demand and supply mismatch. 7 Provider ratio data from 2000 indicate that there was a 20% deficit below demand for child neurology services in the United States. 8 Data from 2009 revealed that 9 out of every 10 pediatricians were concerned about too few pediatric neurologists in the United States, and 79% believed their patients suffered from long wait times because of too few child neurologists in their area.…”

“…Neurology has been reported as one of most difficult subjects by medical students and internal medicine residents. 13 There is limited literature on the attitudes and perspectives of graduated residents on child neurology education 7,14 ; however, there are no published studies exploring current pediatric residents' perspectives on learning neurology.…”

Understanding the ongoing learning needs of Australian metropolitan, rural and remote paediatricians: Evaluation of a neurology outreach programme

“…While a cohort of general practitioners in the UK felt neurology was as interesting as other medical specialties, they perceived it to be the most difficult and their area of least confidence compared to other specialties 3 . Similarly, only 22% of a US graduate paediatrician cohort felt very comfortable with paediatric neurology presentations after 1–5 years of practice, despite ‘fairly frequently’ encountering these presentations across general and subspecialty practice 4 . With the field of neurology rapidly evolving with new investigative techniques, procedures, pharmacotherapies and gene therapies, 5 and the imperative for early diagnosis to maximise treatment efficacy (e.g.…”