A qualitative exploration of which resident skills parents in pediatric emergency departments can assess

Abstract

Background: Residents must strive for excellence in their nontechnical skills (NTS). However, NTS have not traditionally been well-assessed in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). One underutilized assessment strategy is to have parents assess the residents caring for their children. Prior to involving parents in resident assessment, it is essential to identify which NTS parents in pediatric EDs can assess.

Aim: To explore which resident NTS parents in pediatric EDs can assess.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study design was used. It included interviews with faculty members involved in the supervision and assessment of residents in a pediatric ED and residents who had experience working in a pediatric ED, as well as focus groups with parents who had visited a pediatric ED at least twice in the past year.

Results: Participants in this study suggested that parents, if provided with the opportunity, can assess residents’ communication skills, comfort in a pediatric setting, adaptability, and collaboration.

Conclusions: This study demystifies how parents can become involved in the assessment of residents’ NTS. The findings will inform the development of assessment strategies and could be used to develop assessment instruments that enable parents to become actively involved in the assessment of residents in pediatric EDs.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Academy for Innovation in Medical Education (AIME) from the University of Ottawa for supporting this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Katherine A. Moreau, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa and an Affiliate Investigator at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute.

Ms. Kaylee Eady, PhD(c), is a Research Associate at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is completing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Jason R. Frank, MD, MA(Ed), FRCPC, is the Director of Specialty Education, Strategy and Standards in the Office of Specialty Education Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Stanley J. Hamstra, PhD, is currently Vice President, Milestones Research and Evaluation at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This role involves oversight for research and evaluation of assessment systems that determine progression of residents through GME across 140 specialties and over 9000 programs in the USA.

Dr. Anna Karwowska, MD, FRCPC, is a Pediatric Emergency Physician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Aleisha Murnaghan, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, is an Emergency Medicine Physician, Clinician Educator, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She also has a Masters in Health Professions Education.

Dr. Catherine M. Pound, MD, FRCPC, is a Pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. She is an Assistant Professor and the Resident Research Coordinator with the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Sandy Tse, MD, FRCPC, is a Pediatric Emergency Physician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. She is also the Program Director for Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Mona Jabbour, MD, MEd, FRCPC, is the Vice-Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. She is also an Associate Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa.