'Beyond Milestones': A randomised controlled trial evaluating an innovative digital resource teaching quality observation of normal child development. (23rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connolly, Anne M; Cunningham, Clare; Sinclair, Adriane J; Rao, Arjun; Lonergan, Amy; Bye, Ann ME
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 50:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 393
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2013-12-23
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12485-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>The study aimed to create and evaluate the educational effectiveness of a digital resource instructing paediatric trainees in a systematic approach to critical and quality observation of normal child development.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12485-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A digital educational resource was developed utilising the skills of an expert developmental paediatrician who was videoed assessing normal early child development at a series of critical stages. Videos illustrated aspects of language, sophistication of play and socialisation, cognition, and motor progress. Expert commentary, teaching text and summaries were used. A randomised controlled trial evaluated the resource. Paediatric trainees were recruited from The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Outcome measures were repeated at three time points (pre‐teaching, immediate‐post and 1 month) and included self‐rated attitudes, knowledge of markers of development and observational expertise. Qualitative data on teaching usefulness were obtained through open‐ended questions.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12485-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Fifty‐six paediatric trainees (registrar 79%, women 82%; mean age 31 years) completed the pre‐assessment, 46 the immediate‐post and 45 the 1‐month follow‐up (20% attrition). Compared with the Control group, the Teaching group scored higher over time on markers of development (<italic>P</italic> = 0.006), observational expertise (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001), confidence (<italic>P</italic> = 0.035) and satisfaction (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001). Teaching participants valued the video and expert commentary and reported improvement in confidence and understanding and acquiring a more structured approach.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12485-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The 'Beyond Milestones' free online resource for medical professionals <<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://learnpaediatrics.org/beyondmilestones/" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">http://learnpaediatrics.org/beyondmilestones/</ext-link> password=cunningham> improves knowledge, increases confidence and is useful, providing a structured approach to developmental assessment. The techniques taught can be applied to every paediatric consultation.</p> </sec> </abstract>