Paving a Path for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada: Defining National Competencies Using Delphi Methodology
Date
2024-07-01
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Abstract
Background: The field of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) has grown considerably in North America over the last three decades in response to the increasing complexity and acuity of the pediatric in-patient population. Although PHM fellowship programs have been developed in Canada, no national competencies framework currently exists to guide curricular content. This study aimed to identify competencies required for the practice of PHM in Canada. Methods: Using Delphi methodology, a national panel of experts in PHM iteratively rated potential competencies, on a 5-point scale, to determine their priority for inclusion. Responses were analyzed after each round. Competencies that were assigned a rating of three or less by 80% or more of panelists were removed from subsequent rounds. The remaining competencies were re-sent to panelists for further ratings until consensus was reached, defined as Cronbach’s α ≥0.95 and after a minimum of two survey rounds. At the conclusion of the Delphi process, competencies where 80% or more of the panelists assigned a rating or four or higher were included. Results: Two rounds of the Delphi process were required to reach consensus. Thirty-five participants completed both survey rounds. The participants represented 13 Canadian pediatric tertiary care centers and five community hospitals. Of 176 initial competencies, 109 PHM competencies achieved consensus. Conclusion: This is the first study to define national competencies for PHM in Canada. The competencies identified provide a framework for PHM fellowship program directors to shape local curricula. The results may also be used to inform the development of comprehensive national PHM fellowship curricula.
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Keywords
Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Delphi Methodology, Competencies, Post-Graduate Medical Education, Canada
Citation
Vetere, P. J. (2024). Paving a path for pediatric hospital medicine in Canada: defining national competencies using Delphi methodology (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.