Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator–Facilitated Education Curriculum in Community Emergency Departments: A Multisite Evaluation

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC)-facilitated curriculum in Community Emergency Departments (CEDs). The objectives were to (1) increase CED staff engagement with pediatric education, (2) improve learners' pediatric knowledge and self-efficacy, and (3) explore PECCs' perceptions of the curriculum. METHODS: A prospective study evaluated a 12-week curriculum focused on the topics of pediatric status epilepticus and newborn resuscitation. The curriculum consisted of 10 weeks of brief asynchronous online weekly assignments (articles, videos, and podcasts), with in situ simulations in the first and last weeks. Engagement was measured by tracking learners' access to the content. Simulation performance was measured via case-specific checklists. Online surveys measured learners' pediatric knowledge and self-efficacy, and learners'/PECCs' satisfaction and perceptions. RESULTS: Twenty-one CED sites started the project, with 14 (67%) completing the curriculum. One hundred seventeen learners (53% nurse, 28% physician, 19% other staff) participated in the initial simulation, while 71 (61%) learners completed the follow-up simulation. Learners reported improvements in case-based pediatric knowledge and self-efficacy (P<0.001). No change was noted in simulation performance scores. The Net Promoter Score, indicating overall satisfaction with the curriculum, was high at 82%. CONCLUSIONS: A PECC-facilitated curriculum in CEDs was associated with an increase in pediatric educational activities as well as improved pediatric knowledge and self-efficacy, but not simulation performance. Learners and PECCs expressed a high level of satisfaction.