Creation and Dissemination of a Multispecialty Graduate Medical Education Curriculum in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: The North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Resident Education Committee Experiences

Resident Education Curriculum in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: The Short Curriculum 4.0

Exposure to pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) varies across residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and pediatrics, as well as both adolescent medicine and PAG fellowship programs. Nevertheless, these programs are responsible for training residents and fellows and providing opportunities to fulfill PAG learning objectives. To that end, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has taken a leadership role in PAG trainee education by creating and maintaining this Short Curriculum. The curriculum outlines specific learning objectives central to PAG education and lists high-yield, concise resources for learners. This updated curriculum replaces the previous 2021 publication with a new focus toward accessible online content and updated resources.

Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology WebEd: A Brief Report of an Underutilized Online Learning Module

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) is a unique subspecialty for which accessible educational resources and clinical exposure have historically been limited; surveys show that trainees in both obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics agree. In 2014, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) introduced PAG WebEd, an original and interactive online case-based curriculum designed to bridge this learning gap. As of 2023, there are 35 published PAG WebEd clinical cases with key learning points that present, test, and discuss a variety of current PAG topics. The NASPAG Resident Education Committee (REC) compiled and reviewed administrative data from the module platform to investigate trainee utilization and performance. The activity data and assessment scores for 161 registered users are included and reported in this article. This brief report highlights that a relatively small number of medical trainees use PAG WebEd and aims to raise awareness of this resource through publication. There is potential for many more users to benefit from this resource; its efficacy as an examination and clinical practice tool could also be measured. The NASPAG REC hopes to ultimately show, with increased utilization, that PAG WebEd deserves to be a key piece of PAG-focused medical education. For PAG WebEd information and faculty registration, as well as a link that allows faculty to submit new learners, please visit https://www.naspag.org/pagwebed-information.

Perceptions Regarding Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Training among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents in Hawai'i

A pediatric and adolescent gynecology curriculum was implemented for obstetrics/gynecology residents at a single institution in Hawai'i. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) formal curriculum in improving knowledge. Twelve residents at the University of Hawai'i completed the curriculum during their second year of training. Of these, 6 residents completed an examination assessing knowledge both before and immediately after the curriculum. Five of these residents completed the examination 1-2 years after completing the curriculum. Average pre-rotation examination scores were 57%, which increased significantly immediately after the curriculum to 87% (P=.003) and remained significantly higher after 1-2 years with average scores of 71% (P=.025). A secondary objective was to assess resident comfort and confidence levels in the subject. All residents who completed the curriculum completed surveys assessing comfort in their pediatric and adolescent gynecology training and both perceived confidence and competence in this area. Despite completing the curriculum, 7 of 12 (58%) did not feel comfortable evaluating pediatric gynecology patients, and 5 of 12 (42%) did not feel prepared nor competent to care for pediatric and adolescent patients. A formal pediatric and adolescent gynecology curriculum increased examination performance, which suggests knowledge retention. However, despite curriculum completion, residents still desired more training in the subject area. Residency programs should consider innovative ways to incorporate inpatient and outpatient educational experiences, periodic testing, and feedback longitudinally throughout residency training to improve long-term retention, confidence, and competence in providing gynecologic care in the pediatric and adolescent gynecology population.

Resident Education Curriculum in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: The Short Curriculum 3.0

Exposure to pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) varies across residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and pediatrics, as well as fellowship programs in adolescent medicine. Nevertheless, these programs are responsible for training residents and fellows and providing opportunities within their programs to fulfill PAG learning objectives. To that end, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has taken a leadership role in PAG education by creating and systematically updating the Short Curriculum. This curriculum outlines specific learning objectives that are central to PAG education and lists essential resources for learners' reference. This updated curriculum replaces the previous 2018 publication with added content, resources, and updated references.

High-Fidelity Hybrid Simulation: A Novel Approach to Teaching Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To describe a hybrid simulation model for pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) examination teaching, to evaluate if it would be feasible to be conducted as a part of the PAG training, and to find out how it would be perceived by the trainees.

DESIGN

The development process and a 2-day workshop is presented.

SETTING

An academic 2-day PAG simulation training at the Medical University of Lublin Centre of Medical Simulation.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-two obstetrics and gynecology and pediatric residents from various hospitals of the Lublin county region.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants took part in a 2-day simulation-based workshop consisting of a theoretical part and 3 high-fidelity PAG simulation scenarios, followed by an anonymous feedback survey on their opinions about the hybrid model teaching strategy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

To describe and evaluate feasibility of a hybrid simulation model for PAG examination teaching and to report students' satisfaction and acceptance of this teaching modality; to share faculty experience and lessons learned during the development process.

RESULTS

Of 22 initially enrolled residents, 16 of them completed the simulation-based session. All but 1 participant preferred a hybrid model to a task trainer as a teaching modality. The same number of surveyed residents stated that they learned more using the hybrid model. Qualitative feedback from the participants was overall positive.

CONCLUSION

A hybrid model for teaching PAG examination is feasible and greatly accepted by the trainees. We are convinced that such a model of training can improve trainees' skills and translate to PAG patients' comfort and safety. It could be potentially used in teaching more difficult procedures (eg, intrauterine device insertion or examination after sexual assault).

Improving Resident Knowledge in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: An Evaluation of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Short Curriculum

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Resident education in pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) is challenging. It encompasses patients from neonates to young adults with different disorders involving multiple subspecialties. Residents have inadequate exposure to PAG topics and report lack of knowledge in this area. The objective of this study was to determine if the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) Short Curriculum improves self-reported knowledge in PAG among obstetrics and gynecology (ObGyn), family medicine, and pediatric residents. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were 47 US ObGyn, family medicine, and pediatric residency training programs across a 4-month study window, from September to December 2016. The NASPAG Short Curriculum was distributed to them with a request to complete a retrospective pre- and post-test survey. Primary outcome measure was improvement in self-perceived knowledge after exposure to the curriculum.

RESULTS

Forty-eight programs responded to the study comprising a total of 1130 residents. One program was excluded because of logistical barriers to the distribution of study incentive. In total, 1080 residents were invited and 103 chose to participate (10% response rate); 68 residents completed all survey questions to be included in the final analysis. After completing the curriculum, self-reported knowledge improved in all 10 learning objectives, across all 3 specialties (47% [32/68] to 82% [56/68]; P < .01). Pre-test knowledge correlated with previous clinical exposure to PAG patients, but did not correlate with year of residency training, type of residency, or previous PAG lectures.

CONCLUSION

Significant deficiencies exist regarding self-reported knowledge of core PAG topics among ObGyn, family medicine, and pediatric residents. Use of the NASPAG Short Curriculum improves self-reported knowledge in PAG trainees across all 3 specialties.