Abstract
BackgroundWe describe the collaborative development of an evidence based, free online resource namely ‘paediatric musculoskeletal matters’ (pmm). This resource was developed with the aim of reaching a wide range of health professionals to increase awareness, knowledge and skills within paediatric musculoskeletal medicine, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and referral to specialist care.MethodsEngagement with stakeholder groups (primary care, paediatrics, musculoskeletal specialties and medical students) informed the essential ‘core’ learning outcomes to derive content of pmm. Representatives from stakeholder groups, social science and web development experts transformed the learning outcomes into a suitable framework. Target audience representatives reviewed the framework and their opinion was gathered using an online survey (n = 74) and focus groups (n = 2). Experts in paediatric musculoskeletal medicine peer reviewed the content and design.ResultsUser preferences informed design with mobile, tablet and web compatible versions to facilitate access, various media and formats to engage users and the content presented in module format (i.e. Clinical assessment, Investigations and management, Limping child, Joint pain by site, Swollen joint(s) and Resources).ConclusionsWe propose that our collaborative and evidence-based approach has ensured that pmm is user-friendly, with readily accessible, suitable content, and will help to improve access to paediatric musculoskeletal medicine education. The content is evidence-based with the design and functionality of pmm to facilitate optimal and ‘real life’ access to information. pmm is targeted at medical students and the primary care environment although messages are transferable to all health care professionals involved in the care of children and young people.
Highlights
We describe the collaborative development of an evidence based, free online resource namely ‘paediatric musculoskeletal matters’
Delay in diagnosis and access to care are well reported in childhood diseases that often present with MSK features including cancer, muscular dystrophy and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) [4,5,6,7]
Patients and families of children and young people (CYP) with chronic MSK disease report that raising awareness, earlier diagnosis and referral for specialist care are amongst their top priorities to improve clinical outcomes [personal communication Sharon Douglas UK Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group (CSG), [18]
Summary
We describe the collaborative development of an evidence based, free online resource namely ‘paediatric musculoskeletal matters’ (pmm) This resource was developed with the aim of reaching a wide range of health professionals to increase awareness, knowledge and skills within paediatric musculoskeletal medicine, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and referral to specialist care. Evidence suggests that many doctors lack confidence and competence in their paediatric MSK clinical skills [5,6,7, 10] stemming from a lack of MSK teaching at undergraduate [11] and postgraduate level [12,13,14,15] Such unmet need is observed in nurses who may encounter CYP in their clinical practice [16, 17]. Patients and families of CYP with chronic MSK disease report that raising awareness, earlier diagnosis and referral for specialist care are amongst their top priorities to improve clinical outcomes [personal communication Sharon Douglas UK Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group (CSG), [18]
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