Does a health maintenance curriculum for pediatric residents improve performance?

OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge and skills of residents in health maintenance and to measure the effectiveness of a new curriculum. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study of first- and second-year pediatric residents over 2 academic years (AY). Residents in AY 1995-1996 (n = 32) comprised a control group. Residents in AY 1996-1997 (n = 36) served as a study group who completed a structured 12-week program of reading materials, small group discussions, and case scenarios. METHODS A needs assessment identified 7 topic areas in health maintenance: health screening, immunizations, nutrition, development, behavior, injury prevention, and dental health. Control and study residents' cognitive knowledge, chart documentation, and clinical performance were assessed using a 50-item multiple choice examination, medical records audit, and standardized patient evaluations. RESULTS Mean examination scores, chart documentation, and clinical performance did not differ significantly between first- and second-year control residents. In the study group, mean examination scores of first-year residents were not significantly better than controls. Second-year residents significantly improved their knowledge about health screening, nutrition, and dental health compared with controls but showed no improvement in other areas. Medical record documentation increased significantly among study residents compared with control residents. Clinically, first-year residents significantly improved in the task of health screening (relative risk [RR] 6.33) and markedly improved (36.8% vs 66.7%) their injury prevention counseling compared with controls. Second-year residents showed significant increases in health screening (RR 6.09) and taking a nutritional history (RR 1. 44) compared with controls. Assessment of the curriculum by residents showed a high degree of satisfaction with the program. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric residents who had clinical experience and completed the curriculum demonstrated significant improvements in their medical record documentation and selective gains in knowledge and clinical performance of health maintenance compared with residents with clinical experience only. A structured curriculum in health maintenance and a multifaceted assessment system can identify and enhance the skills of pediatric residents.