Training the Complete Pediatrician

Developing Our Osteopathic Background
As it states in our mission statement, we believe that "as pediatricians in training we will strive to be leaders in our field by providing the highest quality healthcare for our patients while preserving our Osteopathic heritage." Our program's goal is to preserve our osteopathic roots and develop them to serve and help children of all ages. We have developed a curriculum aimed at reinforcing the use osteopathic manipulation in our everyday clinical experiences and continue to foster the mentality that we treat every child as a whole-"body, mind and spirit."

Education Day Lectures
There are several ways we focus on osteopathic teaching in our pediatric residency training program. We have a monthly educational conference at which we schedule OMM lectures designed to discuss a particular OMM topic. For example, one month we focused on neonatology and osteopathic considerations regarding feeding difficulties and plagiocephaly. We discussed the various treatment options that exist to treat such common findings with osteopathic manipulation and then we alloted time for hands on table time to demonstrate and use the various techniques. We have several community pediatricians that practice OMM daily on their patients and they teach us useful, effective techniques used in everyday primary care pediatrics.

Workshops
Residents' schedules are adjusted to enable them to attend these important workshops, which enrich both academics and work/life balance.

  • Orientation - A five-day Orientation at Children's/Doctors helps first-year residents transition smoothly from medical school to the hands-on responsibilities of residency training. Residents learn about the hospital system and what is expected of a first-year resident. Residents also participate in team-building activities among peers and faculty at numerous social activities, including a welcoming social hour and family picnic. Residents also complete certification in procedural skills, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
  • Orientation Picnic - In addition to Orientation at Children's/Doctors, residents are required to attend an Orientation Picnic with all Dual Program residents for an informal introduction to our program, the clinic and various requirements.
  • Annual Workshops - In late winter, a two-day, overnight workshop is held off-site. This workshop, for first-year residents, focuses on stress reduction, team building and relaxation. In late May, a two-day workshop for first-year residents addresses the challenges of being a supervisory resident. It includes a one-day pediatric trauma course.
  • Osteopathic Workshops - In May, an OMM two-day workshop focused on osteopathic manipulation and alternative medicine is held off-site. This workshop is for all Dual Program residents and it focuses on learning basic osteopathic principles, reinforcing key techniques and practicing new techniques that can be integrated into daily practices.
  • Dual Program Retreat - In August, a one-day social retreat is held off-site. This retreat is for all Dual Program residents and it focuses on interesting topics, such as alternative medicine, health & wellness and medical legal, to help our residents become much more well-rounded and knowledgeable.
  • Business of Medicine Workshops - To obtain a more complete understanding of the administrative and financial aspects of health care, residents attend a half-day Business of Medicine Workshop each year. The workshop faculty includes: medical directors of managed care companies, hospital case management personnel, pediatric faculty and residents.

Two-way Resident Communications

How does a dual resident learn about resident interests, needs and concerns?

  • House Staff Advisory Committee (HSAC) - An advisory board to the program director, this committee is composed of three residents from each class, elected each year by their peers. The HSAC represents the overall views of the residents and discusses issues that affect them in monthly meetings.
  • Quarterly Resident Meetings - The program directors meets with your residency class every quarter. There is usually no formal agenda – it is simply an open forum to voice your needs and questions.
  • House Staff Business Meeting - On scheduled Thursdays at noon, residents gather for a one-hour business meeting chaired by the chief residents. This informal meeting is used to pass along a variety of information, including upcoming events, guest speakers, curriculum changes, job opportunities and social events.
  • Core Day - We set aside one-hour every month during our Education Day for a business meeting for the residents to voice their specific concerns to the Dual Chiefs.
  • Dual Chiefs - Third-year Dual residents are selected by the Program Directors to serve as liaisons and representatives of the Dual Program in an administrative fashion when at Children's Hospital and Doctors Hospital.

Evaluating Your Progress
Evaluations are essential feedback during your residency. Your performance is evaluated monthly by attending physicians, primary care and emergency department faculty, elective preceptors, medical students and peers. Twice a year, you will meet one-on-one with program directors to review your progress. During this time, your program director will assist you with your decision regarding your rotation selection for the upcoming academic year, as well as discuss and support your future career plans.