Education and training in the paediatric senior house officer grade: analysis of RCPCH hospital/child health visits reports, 1997-2001.

AIMS To review the process and outcome of education and training visits to paediatric departments by the RCPCH. METHODS Retrospective audit of visits reports (1997-2001) against the RCPCH criteria for general professional training. Hospital and/or community child health departments who were responsible for training paediatric senior house officers were visited to assess whether RCPCH criteria of education were being met. Follow up visits were undertaken where limited education and training approval was given. Reports were received from 214 of 242 (88%) hospital and/or community based departments in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. RESULTS Satisfactory achievement of the 12 training criteria by departments varied widely: 39-95% (median 66%) achieved. Follow up visits reported significant improvements in most departments. Criteria which departments struggled to achieve reasonable standards were: (1) ensuring SHOs were performing educationally appropriate duties (39% achieved); and (2) satisfactory outpatient experience (41% achieved). Twenty four per cent of hospital based departments did not have a paediatrician with 12 months or more experience of paediatrics resident on call. CONCLUSIONS The visiting process highlighted areas of good practice, encouraged change to meet the criteria, and recommended increased resources and staffing where necessary to improve training and hence the service. The need for continuing approval for education and training in these departments encouraged significant efforts on the part of trainers and managers to meet the requirements, and consequently the quality of service to children has been enhanced.