Pediatric Integrative Medicine in Residency (PIMR): Description of a New Online Educational Curriculum.

Hilary Mcclafferty,Michelle Brenner,Patricia Lebensohn,Joy Weydert,Victoria Maizes,Paige Frazer,Audrey Brooks,Sally Dodds,Melanie Brown,John Mark,Graciela Wilcox

doi:10.3390/children2010098

Abstract

Use of integrative medicine (IM) is prevalent in children, yet availability of training opportunities is limited. The Pediatric Integrative Medicine in Residency (PIMR) program was designed to address this training gap. The PIMR program is a 100-hour online educational curriculum, modeled on the successful Integrative Medicine in Residency program in family medicine. Preliminary data on site characteristics, resident experience with and interest in IM, and residents’ self-assessments of perceived knowledge and skills in IM are presented. The embedded multimodal evaluation is described. Less than one-third of residents had IM coursework in medical school or personal experience with IM. Yet most (66%) were interested in learning IM, and 71% were interested in applying IM after graduation. Less than half of the residents endorsed pre-existing IM knowledge/skills. Average score on IM medical knowledge exam was 51%. Sites endorsed 1–8 of 11 site characteristics, with most (80%) indicating they had an IM practitioner onsite and IM trained faculty. Preliminary results indicate that the PIMR online curriculum targets identified knowledge gaps. Residents had minimal prior IM exposure, yet expressed strong interest in IM education. PIMR training site surveys identified both strengths and areas needing further development to support successful PIMR program implementation.

Highlights

Integrative medicine (IM) is prevention-based medicine that emphasizes the therapeutic patient-clinician relationship and uses all appropriate therapies [1]
Content development was based on guidelines from the joint ACGME and American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) “Pediatric Milestone Project” [15], competencies in integrative medicine (IM) [8], literature review of pediatric IM topics, and input from nationally recognized pediatric faculty
Content was piloted at the University of Arizona pediatric residency refined based on faculty and resident feedback and a needs assessment questionnaire distributed to faculty and residents at two academic pediatric training programs

Summary

Introduction

Integrative medicine (IM) is prevention-based medicine that emphasizes the therapeutic patient-clinician relationship and uses all appropriate therapies [1]. The integrative approach is personalized and addresses nutrition, mind-body medicine, sleep, exercise, whole medical systems (e.g., traditional Chinese medicine), environmental health, and social support. Interest in IM is significant, driven by consumer demand for care that is cost effective and better aligned with patient values [2,3]. A 2005 Institute of Medicine statement recommended that health professional schools include education on complementary medicine at all training levels [4], highlighting the need for physician education. Guidelines on IM education have been published for medical students and family medicine residents [5,6,7].

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Conclusion