Biologic and chemical terrorism in children: an assessment of residents' knowledge.
This study was conducted to determine the baseline fund of knowledge of pediatric and emergency medicine residents at a single institution in the medical management of pediatric victims of biologic and chemical terrorism. A test covering essential content was developed and validated by experts. The test was given anonymously to volunteer pediatric and emergency medicine residents at a single institution. The test was readministered 5 months after a lecture on the content. The 34 pediatric residents and 15 emergency medicine residents scored a median of 65% and 73%, respectively (P = .03). Residents from both specialties combined scored a median of 70% correct versus those residents who did not attend the lecture. Pediatric and emergency medicine residents are significantly unprepared to manage pediatric victims of biologic and chemical terrorism. Education curriculums on this topic must be incorporated into these residencies. The traditional lecture format may not be the most effective technique.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA.
Erik P
EP
Schobitz
James M
JM
Schmidt
Michael P
MP
Poirier
D000328:Adult; D023482:Bioterrorism; D051337:Chemical Terrorism; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*