‘Introduction to paediatrics’ course – use of simulation to introduce foundation doctors to paediatrics as a novel specialty
Authors: Nye Abigail , Whittaker-Jain Revathi , Waring Kitt 
Published: November 2022

Post-graduate doctors typically apply for speciality training during, or soon after, the Foundation Two Year, however many have very limited exposure to Paediatrics. This was compounded during the COVID-19 pandemic, as access to taster days was significantly reduced. Previously, simulation-based taster days in Undergraduate Medicine [1] and Anaesthetics [2] have been shown to be valuable. We therefore provided an ‘Introduction to Paediatrics’ course aimed at doctors with an interest in pursuing a career in Paediatrics. The aims of the course were to: experience a range of common Paediatric presentations and procedural skills, learn about applying for Paediatrics, and learn about a career in Paediatrics.

Learners attended a one-day face-to-face programme held in our Learning and Resource centre, including a simulation suite. Learners were exposed to four scenarios designed to cover a wide range of common Paediatric scenarios. These included: bronchiolitis in an ex-preterm baby; bilious vomiting in a neonate; febrile seizures; and diagnosis of diabetes in a teenager. The scenarios were designed to be challenging but accessible to doctors without previous experience of Paediatrics. An embedded faculty member in the role of a Paediatric registrar was available to provide support during the scenario if requested. Complementing these scenarios were two procedural skills stations (neonatal life support and umbilical venous catheterisation), and a series of short talks on a career in Paediatrics. The participants were asked to feedback via an online survey.

Nine foundation doctors attended the pilot course. Only one of them had any formal postgraduate experience in Paediatrics, and all of them were considering applying to Paediatric training. All the participants stated that they would recommend the course to someone who was considering Paediatric training and that the day was useful in deciding whether to do Paediatrics training or not. Using a Likert scale, they rated all the scenarios and the procedural skills as ‘Good’ or ‘Very good’. When asked to give a star rating out of 5, the mean was 4.9.

This course appears to be an effective way of providing foundation doctors with a ‘taster’ of Paediatrics. The participants enjoyed the course and would recommend it to others. Although not a substitute for clinical Paediatric experience, it provides another opportunity for interested foundation doctors to learn about a specialty. Based on the success of this course, we hope to deliver this course on a regular basis.

1. Thorley-Dickinson V, Kasfiki E, Stephenson T, Purva M.‘A day in the life of a doctor’: Simulation-based taster day for college students intending to apply to medical school. BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning. 2014;1:A47

2. Khoud, Ahmed Ben, Matthew Aldridge and Jeremy Purdell-Lewis. ‘P8 The anaesthetic taster course: our experience of running a simulation taster course with near-peer tutors.’ BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning. 2018;4:A54–A55.