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The current state of pediatric hospital medicine fellowships: A survey of program directors
Author(s) -
Shah Neha H.,
Rhim Hai Jung H.,
Maniscalco Jennifer,
Wilson Karen,
Rassbach Caroline
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of hospital medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.128
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1553-5606
pISSN - 1553-5592
DOI - 10.1002/jhm.2571
Subject(s) - medicine , medical education , curriculum , duration (music) , standardization , hospital medicine , family medicine , certification , scholarship , certificate , accreditation , psychology , pedagogy , art , literature , algorithm , political science , computer science , law
BACKGROUND Pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) fellowship programs have grown rapidly over the last 20 years and have varied in duration and content. In an effort to standardize training in the absence of a single accrediting body, PHM fellowship directors now meet annually to discuss strategies for standardizing and enhancing training. OBJECTIVES To explore similarities and differences in curricular structure among PHM fellowship programs in an effort to inform future curriculum standardization efforts. METHODS An electronic survey was distributed by e‐mail to all PHM fellowship directors in April 2014. The survey consisted of 30 multiple‐choice and short‐answer questions focused on various curricular aspects of training developed by the authors. RESULTS Twenty‐seven of 31 fellowship programs (87%) responded to the survey. Duration of most programs was 2 years (63%), with 6, 1‐year programs (22%) and 4 (15%) 3‐year programs making up the remainder. The average amount of clinical time among programs was 50% (range approximately 20%–65%). In addition to general inpatient pediatric service time, most programs require other clinical rotations. The majority of programs allow fellows to bill independently for their services. Most programs offer certificate courses, courses for credit or noncredit courses, with 11 programs offering masters' degrees. Twenty‐one (81%) programs provide a scholarship oversight committee for their fellows. Current fellows' primary areas of research are varied. CONCLUSION Though variability exists regarding program length, clinical composition, and nonclinical offerings, several common themes emerged that may help inform the development of a standard curriculum for use across all programs. This information provides a useful starting point if pediatric hospital medicine obtains formal subspecialty status. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:324–328. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine