171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
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January 2006
Exciting MUSC Pediatric Residency in the New Year
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| Dr. Yaw Appiagyei-Dankah |
The year 2005 was one of major developments in the MUSC Pediatric Residency Program. In the spring, Colleen O. Thomas from the Department
of Anesthesiology was recruited to join our program as Coordinator following Ms. Blevins departure. Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Yaw
Appiagyei-Dankah assumed the position of Assistant Program Director when Dr. Panzarino moved back to Florida. Several rotations were
modified to further improve educational opportunities and in accordance with new Pediatric Residency Review Committee guidelines
(effective January 2006). The Department introduced a hospitalist system to increase faculty teaching time, improve continuity of care,
and enhance the amount and quality of teaching by faculty members.
Based on resident recommendations, "morning report" changed its time and format to facilitate more inter-disciplinary interactions, and
to increase the number of case presentations on new patients admitted to the Children's Hospital or seen in ambulatory settings. The
new 7:45 a.m. start of morning report has significantly improved resident and faculty attendance. Noon conferences that now include
lunch provide a more didactic session with the faculty. To enhance independent learning, most of the PowerPoint presentations at noon
conferences and at pediatric grand rounds are readily available through the MUSC pediatric website. The pediatric grand rounds that
are recorded are also available through the MUSC web site. We are considering making audio recordings of noon conference presentations
into MP3 files that would accompany slide shows on the website.
The most significant educational change, first implemented for the interns in the 2005-06 academic year, has been the initiation of an
integrated, evidence-based medicine program lead by Dr. Gautham Suresh. This exciting new program has divided the intern group, including
the two Med/Peds residents, into three teams mentored by Dr. Suresh, Dr. Cochran and Dr. Teufel. The team leaders are assisted by Dr.
Johnson and reference librarian Laura Cousineau, who provide initial training and practical experience in the approaches and methods of EBM.
The teams research evidence-based questions generated from patient presentations at morning report, then present the results the following
week. Over the next year, we anticipate the teams will develop a set of questions for which little pediatric evidence is available. Several
of the questions will then be answered in studies designed by the teams during their last two years of training.
This supervised "on-the job" use of EBM practices will develop skills to improve patient care throughout these interns' careers. Although
the project focuses on training at the internship level, it has increased the use of EBM searches by upper level residents and faculty.
Discussion of evidence to support management and diagnostic decisions has increased in morning report and on rounds. The EBM emphasis in
residency education has been well received by trainees and has exceeded departmental expectations.
In summary, 2005 has been an exciting year for the pediatric residency at MUSC, with the implementation of new approaches now helping
trainees capitalize on learning opportunities. Though strategies for teaching continue to evolve, it is gratifying to know that the faculty
and staff are more committed than ever to providing outstanding pediatric education at MUSC Children's Hospital. We look forward to the
challenges coming in 2006 as we work to continually improve the program, and to keep MUSC Children's Hospital and the Charles P. Darby
Children's Research Institute as dynamic and rewarding academic homes for pediatric residency training!
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