Brief Focused Interprofessional Encounters in a Developmental-Behavioral Rotation Facilitate Pediatric Resident Experiences, Foster Interprofessional Relationships, and Improve Confidence in Mental Health and High-Risk Developmental Conditions.

Abstract

Experiences with mental health (MH) and high-risk developmental conditions (HRDC) are challenging to obtain during pediatric residency. This study describes Brief Focused Interprofessional Encounters (BFIE) during a developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) rotation. Postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pediatric residents recorded diagnoses of children they interacted with at each BFIE site and completed a self-assessment at the start and end of their rotation. Of 48 residents, 67% (32/48) completed daily encounter records and 81% (39/48) completed self-assessment surveys. Residents' self-reports showed significantly higher levels of confidence in 12 learning areas, with the highest gains in bereavement, autistic spectrum disorders, juvenile justice, and teen pregnancy (Ps < .001). By establishing BFIE customized to the local community, a DBP curriculum can effectively provide measurable, innovative curriculum content that addresses less commonly accessed areas of MH and HRDC; foster interprofessional relationships; and improve resident confidence.