TEACHING PRIMARY COMMUNITY PEDIATRICS TO
PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS
Manuel Katz, Yair
Bar-David, Carmi Z. Margolis, Jacob Urkin
Faculty of Health Sciences,
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Division of Pediatrics, Soroka
University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Background: The conventional
pediatric residency is a hospital based training program. However, most
pediatric residents become pediatricians in a community setting. It is thus desired that residency
training include extensive learning of subjects relevant to primary care
pediatrics.
Objectives: To develop a curriculum
in Primary Community Pediatrics within the framework of a hospital based
pediatric residency.
Methods: 1) A group of senior academic pediatricians, each of whom is
both a community and hospital based physician, developed a special
curriculum in primary community pediatrics. 2) Implementation was
determined with the hospital
pediatric department and with the major provider of community health services. The curriculum
includes: common pediatric complaints and problems, normal child growth and
development, nutrition, immunizations, preventive pediatrics, clinic
management, health education, academic excellence in a community set-up and
effective use of community resources. The program is based on the following
principles: problem based learning, senior pediatricians sharing their
experience with the residents, lectures, hands-on experience, and protected
time for involvement in the program.
Implementation consists of: monthly sessions in primary community
pediatrics, a six month rotation in an accredited pediatric community
teaching clinic, a six month research project on a community pediatric
subject and a qualifying examination. Upon completion of all residency
requirements, the graduates receive a University Diploma in Primary
Community Pediatrics in addition to Board Certification in Pediatrics.
Conclusion: In order to appropriately train primary community pediatricians,
we have integrated a dedicated primary community pediatrics track within
the conventional pediatric residency program.