Evaluation of a pilot immunization curriculum to meet competency training needs of medical residents

Abstract

Background Vaccination is the most cost-effective medical intervention known to prevent morbidity and mortality. However, data are limited on the effectiveness of residency programs in delivering immunization knowledge and skills to trainees. The authors sought to describe the immunization competency needs of medical residents at the University of Toronto (UT), and to develop and evaluate a pilot immunization curriculum. Methods Residents at the University of Toronto across nine specialties were recruited to attend a pilot immunization workshop in November 2018. Participants completed a questionnaire before and after the workshop to assess immunization knowledge and compare baseline change. Feedback was also surveyed on the workshop content and process. Descriptive statistics were performed on the knowledge questionnaire and feedback survey. A paired sample T-test compared questionnaire answers before and after the workshop. Descriptive coding was used to identify themes from the feedback survey. Results Twenty residents from at least six residencies completed the pre-workshop knowledge questionnaire, seventeen attended the workshop, and thirteen completed the post-workshop questionnaire. Ninety-five percent (19/20) strongly agreed that vaccine knowledge was important to their career, and they preferred case-based teaching. The proportion of the thirty-four knowledge questions answered correctly increased from 49% before the workshop to 67% afterwards, with a mean of 2.24 (CI: 1.43, 3.04) more correct answers (P < 0.001). Sixteen residents completed the post-workshop feedback survey. Three themes emerged: first, they found the content specific and practical; second, they wanted more case-based learning and for the workshop to be longer; and third, they felt the content and presenters were of high quality. Conclusions Findings from this study suggest current immunization training of UT residents does not meet their training competency requirements. The study’s workshop improved participants’ immunization knowledge. The information from this study could be used to develop residency immunization curriculum at UT and beyond.

Rapid Development and Testing of a COVID-19 Vaccine Curriculum for Pediatricians

“…A review of literature related to vaccine education identified what was known and gaps to fill through this educational initiative. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Step 2. Targeted Needs Assessment With the rapidly evolving knowledge in the scientific community around COVID-19 vaccines, the group decided to target education to pediatric clinicians.…”

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy Through a Comprehensive Resident Vaccine Curriculum

“…Other published curricula focus primarily on knowledge acquisition rather than communication skills training. 20 , 21 We are not aware of any randomized controlled studies evaluating the impact of a comprehensive vaccine hesitancy curriculum on resident knowledge and vaccine hesitancy communication skills. Given the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy towards influenza and COVID-19, as well as routine childhood vaccinations, this gap in training needs to be addressed in pediatrics and across disciplines.…”