title: Pediatric Cardiology Boot Camp: Description and Evaluation of a Novel Intensive Training Program for Pediatric Cardiology Trainees.
abstract: The transition from residency to subspecialty fellowship in a procedurally driven field such as pediatric cardiology is challenging for trainees. We describe and assess the educational value of a pediatric cardiology "boot camp" educational tool designed to help prepare trainees for cardiology fellowship. A two-day intensive training program was provided for pediatric cardiology fellows in July 2015 at a large fellowship training program. Hands-on experiences and simulations were provided in: anatomy, auscultation, echocardiography, catheterization, cardiovascular intensive care (CVICU), electrophysiology (EP), heart failure, and cardiac surgery. Knowledge-based exams as well as surveys were completed by each participant pre-training and post-training. Pre- and post-exam results were compared via paired t tests, and survey results were compared via Wilcoxon rank sum. A total of eight participants were included. After boot camp, there was a significant improvement between pre- and post-exam scores (PRE 54 ± 9 % vs. POST 85 ± 8 %; p ≤ 0.001). On pre-training survey, the most common concerns about starting fellowship included: CVICU emergencies, technical aspects of the catheterization/EP labs, using temporary and permanent pacemakers/implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), and ECG interpretation. Comparing pre- and post-surveys, there was a statistically significant improvement in the participants comfort level in 33 of 36 (92 %) areas of assessment. All participants (8/8, 100 %) strongly agreed that the boot camp was a valuable learning experience and helped to alleviate anxieties about the start of fellowship. A pediatric cardiology boot camp experience at the start of cardiology fellowship can provide a strong foundation and serve as an educational springboard for pediatric cardiology fellows.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology - Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA. ceresnak@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ceresnak
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology - Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Axelrod
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology - Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kara S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Motonaga
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology - Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology - Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Krawczeski
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004452:Echocardiography; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006331:Heart Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency
keywords: Education; Fellowship training; Pediatric cardiology; Pediatrics