Assessing nephrology competence in general paediatrics - A survey of general paediatricians, paediatric nephrologists, residents, and program directors

Amrit Kirpalani, Charushree Prasad, Natasha A. Jawa, Adelle R. Atkinson, Mark Feldman, Justin M. Jeffers, Damien G. Noone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify nephrology topics of lowest perceived competency and importance for general paediatricians. Methods: Surveys were distributed to general paediatricians, paediatric residents, paediatric residency program directors, and paediatric nephrologists. Perceived importance and competence were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Means and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Mean perceived competency from general paediatricians across all nephrology domains was 3.0, 95%CI (2.9 to 3.1) and mean importance was 3.2, 95%CI (3.1 to 3.3). Domains scoring below the means for competence and importance, respectively were kidney stones (2.5, 95%CI [2.2 to 2.7]) and 2.6, 95%CI [2.3 to 2.8]), acute kidney injury (2.5, 95%CI [2.2 to 2.8] and 2.4, 95%CI [2.1 to 2.8]), chronic kidney disease (1.9, 95%CI [1.7 to 2.2] and 2.1, 95%CI [1.8 to 2.4]), tubular disorders (1.8, 95%CI [1.6 to 2.0] and 2.0, 95%CI [1.8 to 2.3]), and kidney transplant (1.6, 95%CI [1.4 to 1.8] and 1.7, 95%CI [1.4 to 1.9]). Residents, program directors, and paediatric nephrologists agreed that stones, chronic kidney disease, tubular disorders, and transplant were of lower importance. However, acute kidney injury was the domain with the largest discrepancy in perceived importance between residents (4.4, 95%CI [4.2 to 4.6]), nephrologists (4.2, 95%CI [3.8 to 4.6]), and program directors (4.2, 95%CI [3.7 to 4.7]) compared to general paediatricians ([2.4, 95%CI [2.1 to 2.8]; P<0.05). Conclusion: Paediatricians did not believe acute kidney injury was important to their practice, despite expert opinion and evidence of long-term consequences. Educational interventions must address deficits in crucial domains of renal health in paediatrics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)169-175
Number of pages7
JournalPaediatrics and Child Health
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2022

Keywords

  • Acute kidney injury
  • Continuing medical education
  • Medical education
  • Paediatric nephrology
  • Postgraduate medical education
  • Survey research

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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