A modified healthy steps model to improve resident training in behavioral and developmental care

J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2011 May;32(4):301-6. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e318210fb75.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether implementing a modified Healthy Steps (HS) for young children program in residency clinics could improve resident education and their perception of the quality of care provided for common behavioral and developmental (B/D) issues.

Methods: Residents and faculty blinded to study intent were surveyed to assess perceptions of resident preparedness and the quality of behavioral and developmental (B/D) care at 4 pediatric residency training sites in North Carolina. Initially, Program 1 (with an established HS program) was compared with 3 sites without established programs at baseline (Programs 2, 3, and 4), and then the results before and after implementation at Programs 2 to 4 were compared.

Results: Initially, subjects at Program 1 were more likely than those at Programs 2 to 4 to rate residents as "well" or "very well" prepared to provide B/D care (63% vs 20% respectively, 95% confidence interval of the difference, 25-61%) and more likely to rate the overall quality of B/D care at their clinic as "high" or "extremely high" (94% and 47% respectively, 95% confidence interval for the difference, 34-59%). After implementation of HS at Programs 2 to 4, the mean percentage of subjects rating residents as "well" or "very well" prepared and the ratings of the care provided increased dramatically.

Conclusion: A modified HS model focusing on resident B/D education substantially increased attending and resident ratings of residents' preparedness to deliver B/D care and increased the ratings of the quality of B/D care provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Competence / standards
  • Curriculum / standards
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency / standards*
  • Models, Educational
  • Pediatrics / education*
  • Single-Blind Method