PReS-FINAL-2247: Confidence of UK general peadiatric trainees in musculoskeletal clinical assessment and preferences for future teaching resources

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems in children and adolescents are common and may represent serious life threatening disease. Many doctors have low confidence in examining children's joints, stemming from MSK teaching not being core to many training programmes. Paediatric MSK competencies have been introduced into the RCPCH professional clinical examinations, in an attempt to address this. Aims: To examine: self-rated confidence in paediatric MSK clinical assessment in general paediatric trainees (in relation to their ability to undertake the MRCPCH clinical examination), access to MSK teaching and the preferred format for future teaching resources. Method: A Survey Monkey questionnaire was disseminated to paediatric trainees from northeast England and southeast Scotland. Results: 35 trainees completed the survey. Trainee confidence in undertaking the MSK station was lower than for the cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal and developmental stations but marginally better than the neurological station. 20% of trainees found it hard to get access to any face-to-face teaching before the exam. When preparing for the MSK station, trainees reported using the following teaching resources (in decreasing frequency); bedside teaching, pGALS, textbooks, clinical examination revision course, paediatric rheumatology clinics/joint injection list. 46% and 34% respectively felt that a 1-day MSK revision course or e-learning module would be most useful. Conclusion: Self-rated confidence in undertaking the MSK station of the MRCPCH clinical examination is low as compared with other bodily systems. This survey highlights the need for improved access to teaching, to facilitate more confident, and prompt recognition of MSK disease.