1022 Creation of the Northern Ireland paediatric education, audit and research network: enhancing trainee experience and improving patient care

Abstract

<h3>Aims</h3> Across paediatrics in Northern Ireland (NI), there are wide variations in clinical practice and no established pathway for the creation of regionally agreed guidelines. Local guidelines are often shared informally, with no central accessible space to ensure trainees are using evidence based, up to date guidelines. Additionally, trainees were engaging in audit and quality improvement projects locally that lacked the power to drive change on a regional level. NI paediatric education, audit and research (NIPEAR) network was created by paediatric trainees, supported by consultant ambassadors. Our aim was to create a platform to collate the exceptional work that NI paediatric trainees are engaged in. We want to utilise the talent of paediatric trainees to ensure all children and young people in NI benefit from regionalised guidelines, quality improvement, educational programmes and innovative paediatric research. <h3>Methods</h3> After receiving feedback that variation in practice between and within trusts was an area of frequent frustration for trainees, we prioritised the rollout of regional guidelines, with a focus on involving trainees in each trust in the quality improvement process. We collaborated with the Child Health Partnership to identify barriers that have prevented the creation of regional guidelines historically, and designed and implemented a pathway for the creation and roll-out of guidelines that circumnavigated these barriers. <h3>Results</h3> In our first year, we led an audit of management of prolonged neonatal jaundice. This led to the creation of a regional guideline to standardise practice. In doing so, we created a pathway for the creation of regional guidelines, which has been accepted by the Child Health Partnership and all trusts in Northern Ireland. As a result, we have provided opportunities for trainees to design and participate in regional audits and guideline creation, and facilitated the regional implementation of these high quality guidelines. To date we have two published guidelines, with a further two out for consultation and and additional five in process. This equates to 14 trainees from all levels of training currently working on high quality projects via NI PEAR. We have created a website, which serves as a hub for paediatrics in Northern Ireland, hosting regional and national guidelines, educational videos, links to useful resources and announcements for upcoming opportunities. Creation of a database of trainees with an interest in research now facilitates easy recruitment of trainees by lead researchers, giving much greater opportunities to trainees at all levels. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The NIPEAR network has demonstrated that a regional approach to quality improvement and guideline creation benefits not only our patient population, but also paediatric trainees, making their practice more straightforward and bringing high quality research opportunities. Building on the success of our first year, we have expanded our trainee committee to include leaders in the fields of research, guideline creation, education, social media and information technology. This has allowed us to expand our reach, and give ever more opportunities to trainees in Northern Ireland, while seeking to standardise care for our patients and ensure guidelines are easily accessible to all.