Introduction
To provide appropriate and sensitive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth, providers must learn specific skills and guidelines. Most medical schools lack formal education on LGBTQ health, particularly for adolescent patients.
Methods
We developed an Introduction to LGBTQ Health course for fourth-year medical students as part of a monthlong Ready for Residency curriculum in March and April of their graduating year. The course addressed guidelines recommended in the care of LGBTQ individuals utilizing problem-based learning methodology. Through learner-led discussion, students worked in small groups to research case-based scenarios and reported their findings to the larger group, followed by teaching points from a facilitator. The course was evaluated on curricular perception using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended feedback.
Results
One hundred forty-six students participated in the curriculum; 103 completed the session evaluation. Mean total scores were 4.6 out of 5 in March and 4.7 out of 5 in April after changes were made based on student feedback, namely, increasing the session from 50 to 80 minutes and decreasing session size from 72 students to 36. Students felt the session was well planned and run, engaging, and relevant; appropriately integrated evidence-based medicine; and taught them what they hoped to learn.
Discussion
Many medical schools lack curricula dedicated to LGBTQ health care. Implementing this mandatory LGBTQ health course was well received and highly rated by almost all students regardless of anticipated specialty. The session could be easily replicated at medical schools across the country.
Introduction
Telephone triage systems are frequently used due to their success in decreasing emergency department utilization, reduction of health care costs, and high levels of satisfaction among patients and providers. Despite phone triage's prevalence, few residency programs have designated curricula for residents to learn this vital skill.
Methods
We designed a phone triage curriculum initially piloted with senior residents at one of our continuity clinics. The curriculum consisted of a didactic session, a just-in-time simulation training session, and an experiential component of being on call during the ambulatory rotation. Retrospective pre-post self-assessments evaluated resident perceptions of their skills in taking histories and triaging care over the phone in addition to obtaining qualitative feedback from faculty and residents immediately after the curriculum and 1–2 years postgraduation.
Results
Of 11 eligible residents, 10 (91%) chose to participate in the pilot curriculum. Residents reported that their skills in history taking over the phone improved from 20% to 90% and their ability to triage patients over the phone improved from 0% to 80%. This led to a quality improvement initiative to increase patient calls and has continued for 5 years, with continued positive feedback from residents and attendings.
Discussion
Phone triage skills are a necessity for pediatric providers, but few residency programs have training curricula in place. Through an experience-based phone triage program, residents significantly improved their self-reported skills at history taking and triaging. Similar curricula could easily be adopted at other institutions.
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