Study on Developmental- Behavioural Pediatrics Training Experiences of Pediatricians and Pediatric Trainees Working in Nepal

Abstract

There are growing concerns about developmental, behavioural, social and emotional wellbeing of children throughout the world. A huge gap exists between the instructions provided on medical disciplines and on areas of Developmental-Behavioural Pediatrics (DBP) during pediatric training in our region. This study aims to evaluate the Developmental-Behavioural pediatrics (DBP) training experiences of pediatricians and pediatric trainees during their post graduate training in pediatrics. Questionnaires were sent to the pediatricians / trainees and data was analyzed using SPSS software. More than 56 % of respondents were satisfied in 10 out of 11 medical disciplines whereas more than 56% were unsatisfied in 10 out of 11 developmental behavioural pediatrics disciplines. This study has demonstrated that between 50-60 % of pediatricians did not see the cases of ADHD, learning difficulty and family dysfunction for a period of three months prior to the survey which are relatively common conditions. Even in post graduate training nearly 66 % of pediatricians were unsatisfied with their instructions in DB pediatrics. Pediatricians working in Nepal have difficulties in addressing the issues of developmental pediatrics, raising a question about the need to review the curriculum of post graduate training in Pediatrics.