Debriefing Trainees After Global Health Experiences: An Expert Consensus Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Global health (GH) opportunities in pediatric residencies are prevalent. Debriefing trainees after a GH experience is a tool to optimize educational processing, identify post-return stressors, and facilitate coping skills; however, there are no consensus recommendations for debriefing in this context. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop structure and content guidelines for standardized debriefing of residents returning from short-term clinical GH rotations abroad. METHODS: Through a modified Delphi methodology, we developed a standardized consensus-based debriefing tool. Eleven pediatric GH education experts were recruited. Experts were individuals with leadership experience in GH education who demonstrated academic engagement by either primary or senior authorship of a publication or relevant presentation at a conference. The expert panel (EP) completed 4 surveys that were amended after each round based on qualitative data, which was assessed for emergent themes. In the final round, the EP rated each consensus recommendation in importance using a 4-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 panelists completed all study rounds. The EP achieved consensus that residents should complete post-return debriefing and rated 32 consensus recommendations in importance. Twelve recommendations were deemed "essential"; these debriefing recommendations focused on timing and preparation, reflection and feedback, trainee well-being and coping skills, ethical concerns, and the need to provide mental health support and resources for trainees with psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: According to GH experts, all residents who participate in GH experiences should participate in a post-return debrief. Thirty-two consensus recommendations regarding content, timing, structure, and actions for post-return debriefing were formulated.

Prevalence and Predictors of Using Antibiotics without a Prescription in a Pediatric Population in the United States.

Non-prescription antibiotic use (using antibiotics without clinical guidance) increases the risk of the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, and other potential patient harm. Few studies have explored non-prescription use in children in the U.S. From January 2021 to April 2022, a diverse sample of caregivers of children under 18 years were surveyed in English and Spanish at two safety net clinics in Texas. We assessed the prevalence of antibiotic use in children in the previous 12 months, storage of antimicrobials, and intended use of non-prescription antibiotics (professed intention for future non-prescription antibiotic use). We also measured sociodemographic factors, types of antibiotics used, and symptoms that trigger non-prescription use. The response rate was 82%, and 17% were surveyed in Spanish. Of 322 participants surveyed, three Spanish-speaking caregivers reported giving non-prescription antibiotics to their child in the previous 12 months. Approximately 21% (n = 69) reported storing antimicrobials at home, specifically amoxicillin (n = 52), clindamycin (n = 10), cephalexin (n = 5), penicillin (n = 3), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (n = 3). Nearly 15% (n = 46) reported intention to give non-prescription antibiotics to their children. Younger caregiver age was associated with storage and intended use of non-prescription antibiotics. Our findings will guide the development of an educational intervention to decrease non-prescription antibiotic use.

Feasibility of Targeting Hispanic Fathers and Children in an Obesity Intervention: Papás Saludables Niños Saludables.

Background: Hispanic children and men carry a high burden for obesity and associated medical conditions. Healthy Dads Healthy Kids was the first obesity prevention intervention targeting fathers and demonstrated weight loss among fathers and behavior change among fathers and children in Australia. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a culturally adapted version of the program for Hispanic families, Papás Saludables Niños Saludables. Methods: A randomized waitlist controlled trial with a process evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility of Papás Saludables Niños Saludables(NCT03532048). Fathers, their partner (mother), and one to three children were enrolled. A priori feasibility criteria were: (1) recruit 40 Hispanic fathers and their families in ≤4 months; (2) retain 80% of participants for pre- and postassessments; (3) maintain ≥70% attendance to the 10 sessions; (4) obtain 80% "excellent" or "good" satisfaction from participants; and (5) collect anthropometric and behavioral data on ≥75% of participants at baseline and follow-up. Results: The study enrolled 90% (n = 36) of the goal from one local pediatric clinic between May and August 2018; retained 75% of participants for postassessment; maintained 72% attendance among those who started the program; and achieved 100% "excellent/good" satisfaction ratings among the participating fathers and mothers. One hundred percent of participants had most anthropometric and behavioral data at baseline and 72% at follow-up. Conclusions: With oversampling and improvements in the recruitment strategies, Papás Saludables Niños Saludables is feasible for a randomized controlled clinical trial to address whether a father-targeted lifestyle program is efficacious among low-income Hispanic men and their children.

Behavioral health service utilization: Trends in utilization within a patient-centered medical home for low-income children and women.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral health (BH) problems frequently present in primary care settings. Despite high intervention needs, the majority of low-income, racially/ethnically diverse children and women do not receive necessary care. The current study examined utilization of BH care among low-income, racially/ethnically diverse pediatric and obstetric patients receiving services in an integrated patient-centered medical home (the Center) compared to patients receiving services in traditional settings. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all consecutive Texas Children's Health Plan (TCHP) patients who received outpatient BH services between 2015 and 2017. Children and woman who utilized BH services at the Center were compared against those who utilized BH services via a traditional sitting outside the Center. RESULTS: A total of 54,612 were identified. Of those, 3,559 (6.5%) patients were seen at the Center and 51,053 (93.5%) patients were seen in the traditional setting. A larger proportion of pregnant/postpartum women and African American and Hispanic/Latino children and women utilized BH services in the PCMH compared to the traditional setting. Results also indicated higher levels of BH service use for patients with behavior problems or anxiety disorders, and increased use of services provided by doctoral level psychologists in the PCMH. CONCLUSION: Findings support the benefit of integrated BH services in PCMH models for engaging traditionally marginalized populations in BH care.

Reciprocity? International Preceptors' Perceptions of Global Health Elective Learners at African Sites.

BACKGROUND: Short-term global health electives (STGHEs) have become increasingly common, with evidence showing educational and clinical benefits for short-term learners (STLs). Despite increased recognition that STGHEs should be mutually beneficial for host sites and STLs, evidence demonstrating the impact on international host preceptors is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To understand international host preceptors' perceptions regarding benefits and burdens of hosting STLs. METHODS: Focus group discussions with a convenience sample of 10 of 18 eligible preceptors were conducted at pediatric STGHE sites in Malawi and Lesotho. Qualitative content analysis was performed to identify themes using a deductive-inductive approach. FINDINGS: Common themes regarding benefits to preceptors included increased knowledge and resources for learning from STLs, broadened differential diagnoses, and the satisfaction of teaching. Regarding burdens, preceptors perceived that supervising STLs decreases efficiency. Preceptors identified the burden of having to intervene in instances that could lead to patient harm. Some preceptors perceived that STLs under-valued preceptors' clinical decision-making in resource-limited contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the need for institutions to identify mutuality of benefits between STLs and host sites when developing STGHEs. Host preceptors identified robust pre-departure training for STLs, lengthened duration of STGHEs, and formal preceptor orientation as ways to enhance mutuality of benefits.

Oral Dexamethasone to Control Wheezing in Children at an Outpatient Clinic.

Asthma, a chronic childhood disease, has resulted in increased emergency department (ED) visits with high costs. Many asthma ED visits are nonemergent and could be treated in outpatient clinics. Literature has concluded that a 2-day course of oral dexamethasone has comparable outcomes to a 5-day course of prednisone in the ED and hospital setting. A retrospective chart review was performed on children requiring in-house treatment with a corticosteroid (dexamethasone n = 23, prednisone n = 40) for acute asthma exacerbations at an ambulatory medical home. The rates of hospital admissions, ED visits, and symptom follow-up were similar between the 2 groups ( P > .05). The cost for a course of dexamethasone was US$1.28 versus US$16.20 for prednisolone. The average cost for an asthma exacerbation office visit was US$79.89 compared with US$3113.28 for an ED visit. A 2-day course of oral dexamethasone appears to be a promising clinical and cost-effective treatment for acute asthma exacerbations at the primary care level.

Host clinical preceptors' perceptions of professionalism among learners completing global health electives.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to gain an understanding of the perceptions of host clinical preceptors in Malawi and Lesotho of the professionalism exhibited by short-term learners from the United States and Canada during short-term global health electives. METHODS: Focus group discussions were conducted with 11 host clinical preceptors at two outpatient pediatric HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa (Malawi and Lesotho). These clinics host approximately 50 short-term global health learners from the United States and Canada each year. Focus group moderators used open-ended discussion guides to explore host clinical preceptors' perceptions of the professionalism of short-term global health learners. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used to identify salient themes from these focus group discussions. RESULTS: Eleven of the 18 possible respondents participated in two focus group discussions. Adaptability, eagerness to learn, active listening, gratitude, initiative, and punctuality was cited as professional behaviors among short-term global health learners. Cited unprofessional behaviors included disregard of local clinicians' expertise and unresponsiveness to feedback. Host clinical preceptors described difficulty providing feedback to short-term global health learners and discrepancies between what may be considered professional in their home setting versus in the study settings. Respondents requested pre-departure orientation for learners and their own orientation before hosting learners. CONCLUSIONS: Both host clinical preceptors and short-term global health learners should be aware that behaviors that may be considered best practice in one clinical setting may be perceived as unprofessional in another. Future studies to develop a common definition of professionalism during short-term global health electives are merited.

Perceptions and Expectations of Host Country Preceptors of Short-Term Learners at Four Clinical Sites in Sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: The demand for global health electives among medical students and residents has grown substantially, yet perspectives of international hosts are not well documented. This study aimed to assess how host country supervising clinical preceptors perceive learners on short-term global health electives of up to 6 weeks. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional survey design and assessed international clinical preceptors' perceptions of short-term learners' (STLs) professional behaviors, medical knowledge, competency in systems-based care, as well as the benefits and burdens of hosting STLs. Surveys were sent to all clinical preceptors (n = 47) at 4 clinical sites in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015. RESULTS: Thirty-two preceptors (68%) responded to the survey. Most respondents (97%) were satisfied in their role hosting STLs and reported that STLs enhanced patient care and the professional image of the clinical site. Nearly half of respondents (45%) reported decreased self-perceived efficiency in clinical care tasks. Qualitative data identified concerns related to STLs' professionalism and teamwork. Respondents also identified knowledge gaps in understanding differences in health systems and epidemiology in host country settings. Respondents preferred that rotations last at least 4 weeks and that STLs complete predeparture training. CONCLUSIONS: STLs were largely positively regarded by international host clinical preceptors. To improve mutuality of benefits, sending institutions should ensure learners understand host country expectations of professionalism and that learners are well prepared for medical, ethical, and cultural challenges through participation in predeparture curricula that prepare them clinically and emotionally for these international experiences. Rotations of at least 4 weeks may enhance benefits to learners and hosts.

Reentry to Pediatric Residency After Global Health Experiences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although nonphysician reentry transitions have been characterized in literature, little is known about the reentry physicians in general, or residents in particular. We conducted a qualitative study to explore pediatric residents' reentry, using reverse culture shock as a conceptual framework. METHODS: Eighteen pediatric residents who completed global health experiences in Africa (9 categorical residents with 1-month elective, 9 global child health residents with 12-month training) participated in interviews that included a card-sort to solicit emotional responses consistent with the conceptual framework. Data in the form of interview transcripts were coded and analyzed according to principles of grounded theory. RESULTS: All pediatric residents, despite variable time abroad, reported a range of emotional responses on reentry to residency. Global child health residents felt disconnection and frustration more intensely than categorical residents, whereas categorical residents felt invigoration more intensely than global child health residents. Although residents met with program leadership after their return, no resident described these meetings as a formal debriefing, and few described a deliberate strategy for processing emotions on reentry. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with reverse culture shock, pediatric residents felt a range of emotions as they move toward a steady state of acculturating back into their residency program. Residency programs might consider creating safety nets to help cultivate support for residents when they reenter training.

Design, evaluation, and dissemination of a plastic syringe clip to improve dosing accuracy of liquid medications.

Pediatricians in Africa requested a tool to improve caregiver dosing of liquid antiretroviral medication. We developed, evaluated and disseminated a clip to control the amount of medication drawn into an oral syringe. In a laboratory, a user tested clips of different lengths, corresponding to different volumes, by drawing water into a syringe with a clip. In Texas and Malawi, 149 adults attempted to measure Pepto-Bismol™ using a syringe with a clip, a syringe without a clip, and a dosing cup, in a randomly assigned order. In the laboratory, the volume of liquid, ranging from 1 to 4.5 mL, drawn into the syringe was always within at least 5 µL of the intended dose. In Texas, 84% of doses were accurate within ±10%, vs. 63% using the syringe alone, and 21% with the dosing cup. In Malawi, 98% of doses were accurate to within ±10%, vs. 90% using the syringe alone, and 27% with the dosing cup. For target accuracy values within ±45% (±21%), a significantly higher fraction of Houston (Kamangira) participants delivered an accurate dose using the syringe with the clip than with the syringe alone (p < 0.05). The clip enables a greater proportion of users to accurately measure liquid medication.