BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medical student electives offer opportunities for career exploration; it is unknown if electives exist for the newest pediatric subspecialty, pediatric hospital medicine (PHM), or how PHM competencies are already addressed in required medical student training. Our objectives for this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of exposure to PHM competencies in medical school and (2) to inform a needs assessment for a PHM elective. METHODS: A 5-item survey was distributed to members of the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics as part of a larger survey in 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to report responses as proportions. Responses to 1 open-ended question were coded and grouped into categories. RESULTS: Of 152 total respondents, 118 (77.6%) answered at least 1 question. Respondents felt that quality improvement was addressed in preclinical years (40.4%), whereas systems-based practice was incorporated into core clerkships (32.1%). Although most indicated that leadership and education should be taught at the subinternship level (29.6% and 25%, respectively), those competencies are not currently integrated into subinternship rotations (7.4% and 4.8%, respectively). Approximately half (n 5 58; 49.5% each) reported that their institution offers a PHM elective. Lack of a standardized curriculum (16%) was seen as a barrier, and in free-text responses (n 5 33), respondents also noted concerns regarding saturation of inpatient settings and redundancy with required rotations. CONCLUSIONS: How to become a good leader and how to become a good educator were identified as PHM competencies that should be, but are not currently, taught at the fourth-year medical student level. A standardized curriculum and strategies to mitigate redundancy with existing rotations may increase satisfaction of students.
A 14-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, aggressive behavior, and constipation presented to the emergency department (ED) with her aunt and uncle (legal guardians), with 3 days of worsening aggression and abdominal pain. Caregivers reported escalating aggression over the last few months despite regular psychiatric follow-up and titration of her psychotropic medications. She had 2 ED visits during this time for similar complaints, was diagnosed with constipation, and was discharged from the hospital after receiving an enema. Three days before this presentation, she began hitting and scratching herself and caregivers and so was brought to the ED because they felt unsafe caring for her at home.In the ED, vital signs were within normal limits. She was alert but was withdrawn, delayed, and nonverbal, and she was intermittently crying, scratching, and hitting herself and bystanders. Her abdomen was tender in the lower quadrants. The remainder of her examination was unremarkable. An abdominal radiograph demonstrated a significant stool burden. She was admitted for a bowel cleanout and adjustment of her psychotropic medications.On admission, she was placed in an enclosed bed with one-to-one supervision by a dedicated staff member because of aggressive behavior. She was transitioned to an oral bowel regimen after an initial bowel cleanout and stooling well with resolution of abdominal pain by hospital day 3.The inpatient psychiatry team was consulted for escalating aggressive behaviors. In discussion with her primary outpatient psychiatrist, a new pharmacologic regimen was started to manage her aggression and agitation. Despite these changes, she continued having behavioral outbursts (hitting, kicking, and scratching multiple care providers and herself) leading to frequent use of physical and chemical restraints to protect all involved parties. She remained withdrawn and agitated, with no improvement in behavior after 5 days on the new medication regimen. On day 6, further adjustments were made to the medication regimen; social work was consulted to assist with placement in a long-term psychiatric care facility.Her medications were adjusted over the next 4 days while placement was sought. Ultimately, no care facilities were identified that would accept this patient. Although her behavior slightly improved on the new medication regimen, she continued having intermittent aggressive outbursts, making it difficult to provide appropriate care (ie, bathing, administering medications, checking vital signs).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.