(48) Establishing the Need for a Pediatric Gynecology Curriculum in a Rural Healthcare System

Background: Training in pediatric gynecology varies across residency programs. It is crucial for physicians to feel comfortable providing comprehensive care to this patient population. The purpose of our study was to assess the need for a pediatric gynecology curriculum for physicians caring for pediatric patients in a rural healthcare system.

Methods: Resident and attending physicians in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn), Pediatrics (Peds), Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds), Family Medicine (FM), and Emergency Medicine (EM) at a rural healthcare system were administered a 17-question targeted needs assessment through SurveyMonkey. The study was exempt from IRB review. Participation was voluntary, and all responses were collected anonymously. Using a 3-point Likert scale, we measured self-perceived confidence regarding the ability to perform a pediatric gynecologic pelvic exam and interest in a curriculum.

Results: A total of 54 residents completed the survey: Ob/Gyn (14/15, 93.3%), Peds (13/35, 37.1%), Med-Peds (10/20, 50.0%), FM (8/31, 25.8%), and EM (9/27, 33.3%). A total of 51 attending physicians responded: Ob/Gyn (4/8, 50.0%), Peds (22/78 28.2%), Med-Peds (3/10, 30.0%), FM (4/8, 50.0%), and EM (18/29, 62.1%). Collectively, only 9.3% of residents and 25.5% of attending physicians feel very confident in knowing the indications to perform a pediatric pelvic exam. Merely 3.7% of resident and 11.8% of attending physicians feel very confident in their ability to do so. The questionnaire revealed 83.3% of resident participants feel a pediatric gynecology curriculum would be very useful to improve their knowledge, and 85.2% feel it would be very useful to improve their confidence.

Conclusions: We have identified a need for and interest in a pediatric gynecology curriculum within a rural healthcare system. In response to this identified need across specialties, we have implemented an ongoing pediatric gynecology curriculum featuring interactive didactics and a pediatric vulvar model simulation, novel to our healthcare system.