Consistency and quality in written accreditation protocols for pediatrician training programs: a mixed-methods analysis of a global sample, and directions for improvement.

BACKGROUND: The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) defines accreditation as 'certification of the suitability of medical education programs, and of…competence…in the delivery of medical education.' Accreditation bodies function at national, regional and global levels. In 2015, WFME published quality standards for accreditation of postgraduate medical education (PGME). We compared accreditation of pediatric PGME programs to these standards to understand variability in accreditation and areas for improvement. METHODS: We examined 19 accreditation protocols representing all country income levels and world regions. For each, two raters assessed 36 WFME-defined accreditation sub-areas as present, partially present, or absent. When rating "partially present" or "absent", raters noted the rationale for the rating. Using an inductive approach, authors qualitatively analyzed notes, generating themes in reasons for divergence from the benchmark. RESULTS: A median of 56% (IQR 43-77%) of WFME sub-areas were present in individual protocols; 22% (IQR 15-39%) were partially present; and 8.3% (IQR 5.5-21%) were absent. Inter-rater agreement was 74% (SD 11%). Sub-areas least addressed included number of trainees, educational expertise, and performance of qualified doctors. Qualitative themes of divergence included (1) variation in protocols related to heterogeneity in program structure; (2) limited engagement with stakeholders, especially regarding educational outcomes and community/health system needs; (3) a trainee-centered approach, including equity considerations, was not universal; and (4) less emphasis on quality of education, particularly faculty development in teaching. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity in accreditation can be appropriate, considering cultural or regulatory context. However, we identified broadly applicable areas for improvement: ensuring equitable access to training, taking a trainee-centered approach, emphasizing quality of teaching, and ensuring diverse stakeholder feedback.

Global Health Crisis, Global Health Response: How Global Health Experiences Prepared North American Physicians for the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic plunged hospital systems into resource-deprived conditions unprecedented since the 1918 flu pandemic. It brought forward concerns around ethical management of scarcity, racism and distributive justice, cross-disciplinary collaboration, provider wellness, and other difficult themes. We, a group of medical educators and global health educators and clinicians, use the education literature to argue that experience gained through global health activities has greatly contributed to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic response in North American institutions. Support for global health educational activities is a valuable component of medical training, as they build skills and perspectives that are critical to responding to a pandemic or other health system cataclysm. We frame our argument as consideration of three questions that required rapid, effective responses in our home institutions during the pandemic: How can our health system function with new limitations on essential resources? How do we work at high intensity and volume, on a new disease, within new and evolving systems, while still providing high-quality, patient-centered care? And, how do we help personnel manage an unprecedented level of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalized, including moral difficulties of perceived care rationing?

Global Health Education in Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowships in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric fellows across all subspecialties are interested in global health (GH). Little is known about how GH is incorporated into Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) fellowships. Our objective was to examine the current landscape of GH education in PHM fellowships. METHODS: In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of PHM fellowship directors (FDs), current fellows, and recently graduated fellows (alumni) via e-mail and listservs. Surveys asked about GH education (curriculum, electives, and research) in PHM fellowships, barriers to GH training, and fellow interest in GH. RESULTS: Response rates were 56% (34/61) among PHM FDs, 57% (102/178) among fellows, and 29% (59/206) among alumni. Most fellows (73%) and alumni (59%) were interested in GH electives. Although 53% of FDs reported offering GH electives, a minority of fellows (21%) and alumni (19%) reported being offered GH electives (P <.001). Few FDs reported offering a GH curriculum (9%), although most fellows (63%) and alumni (50%) expressed interest. Of the 16 FDs without GH electives, 81% planned to offer them. Cited barriers included a lack of GH curricula, insufficient funding, competing educational demands, and a lack of international partnerships. More FDs (82%) than fellows (64%) and alumni (45%) agreed that GH education improves overall fellow education (P = .01). Similarly, more FDs (75%) than fellows (56%) and alumni (38%) agreed that offering GH education improves recruitment (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: There is an unmet demand for GH education in PHM fellowships, and fellows may not be aware of GH opportunities.

Fever Management in Sickle Cell Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Survey of SCD Management Programs.

Management of fever is a key element of care for children with sickle cell disease (SCD). There exist few studies of current practices in managing fevers in SCD in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and malaria-endemic regions where SCD is prevalent. We surveyed medical providers in these settings to characterize current practices in infection prevention and fever management for children with SCD. We found wide variation in use of newborn screening for early diagnosis and infection prevention, pneumococcal vaccination, use of antibiotics and antimalarials, and route of antibiotic administration. Counter to established guidelines, 78% (95% CI: 59-100%) of respondents would consider using oral antibiotics for a febrile child with SCD. Only 17% (95% CI: 0-37%) would administer antibiotics to a well-appearing child with a positive malaria test. Availability of blood cultures did not affect duration of antibiotic course. Further study and standardization of fever management in SCD in LMICs are urgently needed.