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Pediatric Resident and Program Director Views on Climate Change and Health Curricula: A Multi-Institution Study.
- Source :
-
Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges [Acad Med] 2024 Jun 01; Vol. 99 (6), pp. 654-662. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 12. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Purpose: The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized in a 2007 policy statement the importance of educating trainees on the impacts of climate change on children's health, yet few studies have evaluated trainee knowledge and attitudes about climate change-related health effects in children. This multi-institution study assessed pediatric resident and program director (1) knowledge/attitudes on climate change and health, (2) perspectives on the importance of incorporating climate and health content into pediatric graduate medical education, and (3) preferred topics/activities to include in climate and health curricula.<br />Method: This mixed-methods study employed an anonymous cross-sectional survey of pediatric residents and residency program directors from Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Longitudinal Educational Assessment Research Network (LEARN)-affiliated programs. Multivariable regression models and factor analyses were used to examine associations among resident demographics and resident knowledge, attitudes, and interest in a climate change curriculum. A conventional content analysis was conducted for the open-ended responses.<br />Results: Eighteen programs participated in the study with all program directors (100% response rate) and 663 residents (average response rate per program, 53%; overall response rate, 42%) completing respective surveys. Of the program directors, only 3 (17%) felt very or moderately knowledgeable about the association between climate change and health impacts. The majority of residents (n=423, 64%) agreed/strongly agreed that physicians should discuss global warming/climate change and its health effects with patients/families, while only 138 residents (21%) agreed/strongly agreed that they were comfortable talking with patients and families about these issues. Most residents (n=498, 76%) and program directors (n=15, 83%) agreed/strongly agreed that a climate change curriculum should be incorporated into their pediatrics training program.<br />Conclusions: Pediatric residents and program directors support curricula that prepare future pediatricians to address the impact of climate change on children's health; however, few programs currently offer specific training, despite identified needs.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 the Association of American Medical Colleges.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1938-808X
- Volume :
- 99
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38232072
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000005633