title: Training young pediatricians as leaders for the 21st century.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a needs assessment with young pediatricians who participate in a leadership training program and to evaluate the effectiveness of that program.
  
  
  METHODS
  In concert with the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, LLC, the American Academy of Pediatrics developed a 1-year strategy to train pediatricians who are <40 years old or <5 years in practice in leadership skills. Participants were nominated by American Academy of Pediatrics chapters and/or sections and were required to complete a detailed needs assessment, attend a 3-day training program, and commit to 1 leadership-related behavior change to be implemented within 6 months. A preanalytic/postanalytic design strategy was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 applicants representing 33 US states participated; 44.6% were male, and more than half (51.8%) were employed at a medical school/hospital. The needs assessment indicated that participants were confident in many of their leadership qualities but desired increased training, particularly in areas of time and priority management and leading "from the middle." Postsurvey instruments (n = 54, 96% response rate) determined that participants positively evaluated the training program and improved in self-reported basic competencies; 87% also reported fully or partially achieving a leadership-related goal identified in a behavior change contract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrate that young physicians are eager for leadership training and that continuing medical education in this area can be provided with positive results. Core competencies, curriculum, and evaluative tools need to be developed further and training opportunities need to be expanded to other subpopulations of pediatricians and pediatric health care providers.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, Children's Hospital, 3020 Children's Way, MC 5033, San Diego, CA 92123-0282, USA. lleslie@casrc.org
authors.forename: Laurel K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Miotto
authors.forename: Gilbert C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ziemnik
authors.forename: Antonio G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: Shellane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calma
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Slaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation