Telemedicine in Pediatric Training: A National Needs Assessment of the Current State of Telemedicine Education in Pediatric Training

Purpose: To describe the current state of telemedicine within pediatric training programs to inform development of a national telemedicine training curriculum for pediatric trainees. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey of pediatric residency (Fall 2020) and fellowship program directors (Spring 2021) on their current telemedicine practices in pediatric post-graduate training. Results: Forty-eight US pediatric residency programs (n = 48/198, 24%) and 422 fellowship programs completed the survey (n = 422/872, 48%); combined response rate 44% (n = 470/1070). Pre-COVID-19, 12% (n = 57/470) of programs surveyed reported using telemedicine in their training program, but during the pandemic 71% (n = 334/470) reported telemedicine use with trainees. Over 71% (n = 334/470) agreed that a formalized curriculum is important, yet 69% (n = 262/380) of programs reporting telemedicine use either did not have a curriculum or were unsure if one existed at their program. Respondents who were unsure/not likely to add a telemedicine curriculum and/or indicated that a telemedicine curriculum would not be important (52% n = 243/470), cited “time” (55%, n = 136/243) most frequently as a barrier. Conclusions: Our needs assessment indicates marked increase in use of telemedicine with trainees by respondent pediatric training programs, with fewer than 50% reporting a formalized training curriculum and most agreeing that a curriculum is important.