Development of a gastroenterology educational curriculum for pediatric residents using fellows as teachers

摘要

OBJECTIVES:: At many institutions, the teaching provided on subspecialty gastroenterology rotations is not structured. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, implementation, and assessment of a structured gastroenterology curriculum for pediatric residents. METHODS:: A needs assessment was performed via a survey of former pediatric resident graduates presently working in general pediatrics. Topics for the curriculum were developed based upon the needs assessment. Second-year residents on the inpatient gastroenterology rotation attended 4 case-based, small group sessions per week for 1 month. Sessions were taught primarily by upper-level gastroenterology fellows. The curriculum was assessed via a pre-posttest, postrotation survey, and group feedback sessions. RESULTS:: Resident rating of education received during the rotation was high. Posttest scores increased slightly but significantly compared with pretest values. The curriculum has continued to be used >4 years after its development. CONCLUSIONS:: The creation of a structured subspecialty curriculum with the use of fellows as teachers is both feasible and effective despite limitations in available time for resident teaching.