Understanding the ongoing learning needs of Australian paediatricians: Evaluation of a pilot paediatric video teaching programme

Fleur A Le Marne; Nancy Briggs; Katie Frith; Didu Kariyawasam; Hugh J McCarthy; Kenneth Nunn; Arjun Rao; Rani Sachdev; Vanessa Sarkozy; Arthur Teng; Susan Trethewie; Gary D Williams; Ann Me Bye

doi:10.1111/jpc.16291

Understanding the ongoing learning needs of Australian paediatricians: Evaluation of a pilot paediatric video teaching programme

J Paediatr Child Health. 2023 Feb;59(2):307-318. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16291. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Authors

Fleur A Le Marne^{1

2}, Nancy Briggs³, Katie Frith^{2

4}, Didu Kariyawasam^{1

2}, Hugh J McCarthy^{5

6

7}, Kenneth Nunn⁸, Arjun Rao^{2

9}, Rani Sachdev¹⁰, Vanessa Sarkozy^{2

11}, Arthur Teng^{2

12}, Susan Trethewie^{2

13}, Gary D Williams^{2

14}, Ann Me Bye^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ Department of Nephrology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁸ Department of Psychological Medicine, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁹ Emergency Department, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹¹ Tumbatin, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹² Department of Sleep Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹³ Department of Palliative Care, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁴ Intensive Care Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pre-recorded video-based lectures (VBLs) covering a range of paediatric topics are an acceptable means of providing ongoing education for consultant and trainee paediatricians in Australia.

Methods: Previous participants (paediatric consultants and junior medical officers) of a neurology outreach teleconference programme offered by a paediatric neurologist between 2017 and 2020 were invited to participate in a multi-specialty pre-recorded video-based education programme. Acceptability was explored by assessing relevance, likelihood of utilising VBL's in the future, uptake and learning activity preferences. The impact of VBLs on confidence, currency and practice was also explored. Additional data including topics of interest, preferred video format, duration, viewing method and frequency of delivery were captured, to better understand participant preferences to inform future efforts.

Results: A total of 135 consented; 116 returned baseline; 94 returned follow-up surveys. Preferred learning activities included a live/interactive component. Videos were considered relevant. Preferences for pre-recorded videos improved from ninth to sixth most preferred learning activity post-intervention. VBL convenience and accessibility were valued. Practice was altered in: approach to management, use of treatments, confidence in decision-making, and discussion with families and patients. The average view duration was 16 min. Longer videos yielded slightly lower audience retention rates. For future offerings, the majority endorsed a preference for a 'mixed' video format and duration of 20-40 min, offered monthly.

Conclusion: Video-based medical education is an appealing and sustainable alternative, given the convenience of unrestricted accessibility, in meeting ongoing learning needs of Australian paediatricians and trainees.

Keywords: education; learning; paediatrics.

© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Child
Health Personnel* / education
Humans
Learning*
Pediatricians
Surveys and Questionnaires