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Preparedness of pediatric residents for fellowship: a survey of US neonatal–perinatal fellowship program directors

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 1132–1137 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the preparedness of pediatric residents entering accredited neonatal–perinatal medicine (NPM) fellowships in the United States.

Study design:

A multi-domain, validated survey was distributed to Program Directors (PDs) of US NPM fellowship programs. The 47-item survey explored 5 domains: professionalism, independent practice, psychomotor ability, clinical evaluation, and academia. A systematic, qualitative analysis on free-text comments was also performed.

Results:

Sixty-one PDs completed the survey, for a response rate of 62% (61/98). For entering fellows, PDs assessed performance in professionalism positively, including 76% as communicating effectively with parents and 90% treating residents/house-staff with respect. In contrast, most PDs rated performance in psychomotor abilities negatively, including 59% and 79% as deficient in bag-and-mask ventilation and neonatal endotracheal intubation, respectively. Although 62% of PDs assessed entering fellows positively for genuine interest in academic projects, fewer than 10% responded positively that entering fellows understood research protocol design, basic statistics, or were capable of writing a cohesive manuscript well. Thematic clustering of qualitative data revealed deficits in psychomotor ability and academia/scholarship.

Conclusions:

On the basis of the perspective of front line educators, graduating pediatric residents are underprepared for subspecialty fellowship training in NPM. To provide the best preparation for pediatric graduates who pursue advanced training, changes to residency education to address deficiencies in these important competencies are warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Perinatal Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    C H Backes, E M Bonachea, B K Rivera, C E Kovalchin, K M Reber & M K Ball

  2. The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    C H Backes

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    C H Backes, E M Bonachea, K M Reber & J D Mahan

  4. Research Information Solutions and Innovation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    M M Reynolds

  5. Department of Pediatrics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    R Sutsko

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology–Gynecologic Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    S R Guntupalli

  7. Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    C V Smith

  8. Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    M M Carbajal

  9. Texas Children’s Newborn Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    M M Carbajal

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  1. C H Backes
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  2. E M Bonachea
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  10. C V Smith
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  11. J D Mahan
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  12. M M Carbajal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C H Backes.

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Backes, C., Bonachea, E., Rivera, B. et al. Preparedness of pediatric residents for fellowship: a survey of US neonatal–perinatal fellowship program directors. J Perinatol 36, 1132–1137 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.153

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.153

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