Who's doing the LP?

Pediatricians who completed their training a few decades ago likely recall devoting lot of time to the performance procedures—often while sleep-deprived and frequently with minimal supervision. Although this arrangement may not have been ideal for children, it probably produced skilled technicians. Lumbar puncture was archetypical example such procedures. Over ensuing years, host factors shaped experience significantly. Changes in disease incidence evidence-based modification procedural indications are clearly impactful. Additionally, education-focused changes duty hours reduced potential exposure trainees declining number Finally, practice as more robust attending presence, along ready availability advanced providers, further decrease opportunities perform lumbar punctures similar many speculated on impact these resident experience, good data difficult obtain. In volume The Journal, Geanacopoulos et al from Boston examine 29 US children's hospitals over decade spanning 2009 2019. Their complicated but seem suggest that average graduating pediatric today performed half or fewer than colleagues ago. authors careful avoid conclusions regarding competence report. How procedures constitute “competence?” Are there ways achieving assessing beyond actual performance? should programs, certifying bodies, insure competence? These questions clinical educators will need confront coming years. Data those report help inform discussions. Article page 87 ▸ Declines Number Punctures Performed at United States Children's Hospitals, 2009-2019The Journal PediatricsVol. 231PreviewTo evaluate trends (LP) among assess how trainee LP. Full-Text PDF