Improving developmental screening in pediatric resident education.
OBJECTIVE
Given that pediatricians cite low competency in developmental screening, this study aims to effectively teach screening to residents.


METHODS
Using a quasi-experimental design, residents received an educational module and one-on-one teaching of 3 validated developmental screeners (Denver II, ASQ [Ages and Stages Questionnaire], and PEDS [Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status]), with subsequent independent use with all 3 screeners with their own continuity patients. Outcome measures included changes in knowledge, skills, and preferences.


RESULTS
All residents achieved significantly increased skills with all screeners. They strongly preferred the ASQ (70%), citing that this taught them normal (30.2%) and pathological (27.9%) development while negatively noting time (72.1%), scheduling issues (30.2%), and difficulties with child cooperation (20.9%). Knowledge specifics did not significantly increase.


CONCLUSIONS
In-depth developmental screening education revealed marked improvement in skills and preferences. These evaluations led to full adoption of the ASQ in resident clinics. Future research must test if effective development teaching in residency leads to increased routine screenings in practice.
Thompson
Lindsay A
LA
Department of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1701 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608, USA. lathompson@peds.ufl.edu
Tuli
Sanjeev Y
SY
Saliba
Heidi
H
DiPietro
Meredith
M
Nackashi
John A
JA
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods