Neonatal circumcisions performed by pediatric residents: implementation of a training program.
OBJECTIVE
To implement a pilot training program on neonatal circumcisions for pediatric residents in a residency training program, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in improving knowledge and skills in performing circumcisions.


METHODS
Educational curriculum.


METHODS
The mother-baby unit of a tertiary care university medical center.


METHODS
Nineteen pediatric residents in training.


METHODS
A 1-month circumcision-training program.


METHODS
Successful completion of the training program, change in mean knowledge scores, and change in attitudes regarding circumcision.


RESULTS
All 19 residents successfully completed the pilot program. Residents were enthusiastic about the opportunity to train in performing circumcisions. The mean test scores on the content items increased significantly from 5.0 (SD, 1.8) before training to 8.3 (SD, 1.0) after training (P <.003). After training, there were significant changes in residents' attitudes regarding giving anesthesia for the procedure and the medical indications for performing routine circumcisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Given a structured curriculum, pediatric residents can be taught to safely and successfully perform neonatal circumcisions with adequate technical competency and pain relief skills. Training results in increased knowledge and increased level of comfort in performing this routine procedure.
Chandran
Latha
L
Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences Center, SUNY at Stony Brook, 11794-8111, USA. Latha.Chandran@stonybrook.edu
Latorre
Patricia
P
D000328:Adult; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric