6268 The introduction to paediatrics course – a careers day for foundation doctors

Objectives Post-graduate doctors typically apply for speciality training during, or soon after, their Foundation Two Year; however, many of them have very limited exposure to Paediatrics. We therefore provided an 'Introduction to Paediatrics' course, aimed at foundation doctors with an interest in Paediatrics training. The aims of the course were to: experience a range of common Paediatric presentations and procedural skills; learn about applying for Paediatrics; and learn about a career in Paediatrics. Methods The one-day programme consisted of mixed-methods teaching, designed to expose learners to a broad range of Paediatric-relevant experiences, whilst stimulating enthusiasm for the specialty. The course consisted of: four simulation scenarios of common Paediatric presentations, planned to be challenging but accessible to doctors without any previous Paediatric experience; two procedural skills stations (neonatal life support and umbilical venous catheterisation); and a series of short talks on Paediatric training and the application process. There was a large faculty of Paediatric trainees and consultants, with ample time for learners to ask questions. The course was offered at a minimal cost of £20, to limit financial discrimination. The participants were asked to feedback via online surveys, both immediately after the course, and a year following the course. Results Thirty-nine doctors have attended the course, over three iterations; 20% of them had previous formal postgraduate experience in Paediatrics, and all of them were considering applying to Paediatric training. Immediately after the day, all the participants stated that they would recommend the course to someone who was considering Paediatric training, and that the day was useful in deciding whether to do Paediatrics training. Using a Likert scale, they rated all the teaching sessions as 'Good' or 'Very good'. When asked to give a star rating out of 5, the mean was 4.9. Seven participants replied to a survey sent 12–18 months after the course. Using a Likert scale, they ranked how much attending the course had influenced (in either direction) how likely they were to apply for Paediatrics, and all chose 'A lot' or 'Quite a lot'. Three of them have applied successfully, and the remaining 4 intend to apply in the future. Conclusion This one-day low-cost course is an effective way of providing foundation doctors with a 'taster' of Paediatrics. Although not a substitute for a foundation programme placement in Paediatrics or a clinical taster day, it provides another opportunity for interested foundation doctors to learn about a specialty.