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

Melissa Fitzgerald*, Avni Bhatt, Lindsay A. Thompson, Alan Schwartz, Aaron O. Thomas, Dana A. Schinasi, Jaclyn Otero, Pamela Carpenter, Julie S. Thomas, Nicole Paradise Black

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)713-717
Number of pages5
JournalAcademic Pediatrics
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • medical education curriculum
  • pediatric graduate medical education
  • telehealth
  • telemedicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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