title: 'Beyond Milestones': a randomised controlled trial evaluating an innovative digital resource teaching quality observation of normal child development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to create and evaluate the educational effectiveness of a digital resource instructing paediatric trainees in a systematic approach to critical and quality observation of normal child development.
  
  
  METHODS
  A digital educational resource was developed utilising the skills of an expert developmental paediatrician who was videoed assessing normal early child development at a series of critical stages. Videos illustrated aspects of language, sophistication of play and socialisation, cognition, and motor progress. Expert commentary, teaching text and summaries were used. A randomised controlled trial evaluated the resource. Paediatric trainees were recruited from The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Outcome measures were repeated at three time points (pre-teaching, immediate-post and 1 month) and included self-rated attitudes, knowledge of markers of development and observational expertise. Qualitative data on teaching usefulness were obtained through open-ended questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six paediatric trainees (registrar 79%, women 82%; mean age 31 years) completed the pre-assessment, 46 the immediate-post and 45 the 1-month follow-up (20% attrition). Compared with the Control group, the Teaching group scored higher over time on markers of development (P = 0.006), observational expertise (P < 0.0001), confidence (P = 0.035) and satisfaction (P < 0.0001). Teaching participants valued the video and expert commentary and reported improvement in confidence and understanding and acquiring a more structured approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 'Beyond Milestones' free online resource for medical professionals <http://learnpaediatrics.org/beyondmilestones/ password=cunningham> improves knowledge, increases confidence and is useful, providing a structured approach to developmental assessment. The techniques taught can be applied to every paediatric consultation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network - Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network - Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Adriane J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lonergan
authors.forename: Ann M E
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: child development; developmental assessment; developmental milestone; developmental screening; medical education