HEADSS up: Adolescents and the Internet

INTRODUCTION

The Internet contains a tremendous amount of unregulated information. Internet use gives adolescents access to a wide variety of information and communication devices, and may be associated with certain risks.

OBJECTIVE

To provide health care professionals with information on adolescent Internet use and its associated risks.

DISCUSSION

Ninety-four per cent of Canadian youth surveyed nationwide in 2005 reported having Internet access in their homes. Parents and health care providers need to educate themselves on issues of Internet safety. The divergent means by which adolescents are using the Internet and the inherent risks associated with unsupervised and uneducated use are addressed. Parents and teenagers are provided with tips for safe Internet use, and health care providers are offered sample questions pertaining to adolescent Internet use.

SUMMARY

A large proportion of adolescents use the Internet daily. Studies examining the risks of online exposure in this age group are evolving. Awareness of the range of applications and information available online will facilitate counselling on appropriate Internet use.     

Risk factors for positional plagiocephaly and appropriate time frames for prevention messaging

OBJECTIVE:

To determine potential risk factors for developing positional plagiocephaly in infants seven to 12 weeks of age in Calgary, Alberta.

METHODS:

A prospective cohort design was used. Healthy term infants (n=440), seven to 12 weeks of age, from well-child clinics at four community health centres in Calgary, Alberta were assessed by the primary author and a registered nurse research assistant using Argenta’s plagiocephaly assessment tool. Parents completed a questionnaire surveying risk factors.

RESULTS:

The incidence of positional plagiocephaly was estimated to be 46.6%. The following risk factors were identified using multiple logistic regression: right-sided head positional preference (OR 4.66 [95% CI 2.85 to 7.58]; P<0.001), left-sided head positional preference (OR 4.21 [95% CI 2.45 to 7.25]; P<0.001), supine sleep position (OR 2.67 [95% CI 1.58 to 4.51]; P<0.001), vacuum/forceps assisted delivery (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.02 to 3.49]; P=0.04) and male sex (OR 1.55 [95% CI 1.00 to 2.38]; P=0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Advice to vary infants’ head positions needs to be communicated to parents/guardians well before the two-month well-child clinic visit. This could occur in the prenatal period by prenatal care providers or educators, or during the neonatal period by postpartum and public health nurses. Prevention education may be emphasized for parents/guardians of male infants and infants who have had assisted deliveries.     

Interobserver variability of croup scoring in clinical practice

BACKGROUND:

Viral laryngotracheobronchitis croup is the most common cause of acute upper airway obstruction in young children. Clinical assessment of children with croup is often performed using ‘croup scores’; however, these scores have not been validated outside of the research setting.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the reliability of clinical observation items in croup scores in a paediatric emergency department (ED) setting.

DESIGN:

Literature review identified 12 observation items (level of consciousness or mental status, inspiratory breath sounds, air entry, stridor, cough, cyanosis or colour, anxiety or air hunger, retractions and/or flaring, respiratory rate and heart rate, oxygen saturation and respiratory distress); overlapping items were combined, yielding 10 variables. In a prospective cohort study over 13 months, patients presenting with croup were observed independently, and croup scores were assigned by the triage nurse, ED nurse and the ED physician before treatment. Agreement among observers for clinical observations was analysed using Cohen’s quadratic weighted kappa.

SETTING:

University-affiliated, paediatric hospital ED providing primary care to an urban area (population 330,000).

PATIENTS:

Children aged three months to five years presenting with viral croup (preceding history of at least one day of upper respiratory tract symptoms associated with barking cough and/or hoarseness and/or stridor).

RESULTS:

One hundred fifty-eight children meeting inclusion criteria for croup were assessed by three observers within 1 h of each other’s assesments and before treatment. Interobserver agreement among the three observers using weighted kappa was greater than chance for all clinical observation items and ranged from fair to moderate (0.2 to 0.4 and 0.4 to 0.6, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the busy practice setting of a paediatric ED, substantial interobserver variability exists among health care providers in the measurement of respiratory signs associated with croup in young children. Based on the present study in a practice setting and two research studies, the most reliable items of all of the published items included in croup scoring systems were stridor and retractions.     

Paediatric primary care quality and accessibility: Parents�� perspective

OBJECTIVE

To measure parents’ satisfaction with paediatric primary care quality and accessibility.

BACKGROUND

High-quality paediatric primary care is a cornerstone of efforts to improve health outcomes and access to care, as well as to control health care spending. A strong primary care infrastructure is related to improved health outcomes, including an improved mortality rate.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey using the Parents’ Perception of Primary Care questionnaire and evidence-based items from the Rourke Baby Record were used to measure parents’ satisfaction.

RESULTS

Of 200 questionnaires sent, 130 were returned. The mean number of children per family was 1.7±0.8 (mean ± SD). Sixty-six per cent of children received their primary care from general practitioners, 19% received their primary care from paediatricians, and 15% had no regular physician and identified other professionals (community nurses, midwives or chiropractors) as their primary care providers. Parents were questioned about their child’s hearing in 66% of cases. Only 41% of parents received guidance about breastfeeding, 37% about adequate sleeping position, 17% about the dangers of second-hand smoke and 16% about car safety seats. The level of satisfaction with communication, contextual knowledge and coordination of care was higher for families followed by general practitioners and paediatricians than for families followed by nonphysicians. According to the Parents’ Perception of Primary Care scores, the overall satisfaction with primary care was higher for care given by general practitioners and paediatricians than for care given by midwives or chiropractors, and intermediate when given by nurses.

CONCLUSION

In this survey, the majority of children received their primary care from physicians, most commonly general practitioners. Parents’ overall satisfaction regarding their infant’s primary health care was higher when it was delivered by physicians than by alternative health care providers. Evidence-based guidance recommendations were rarely followed.     

An urban survey of paediatric environmental health concerns: Perceptions of parents, guardians and health care professionals

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a survey in Edmonton, Alberta, to gather information regarding concerns about the influence of environmental factors on children’s health and to use the information to set an agenda for the resources of the Paediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at Misericordia Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta).

METHODS

Two questionnaires with 28 closed-ended questions were developed to examine parents’, guardians’ and health care professionals’ concerns. They comprised items about six environmental factors (air, water and food quality; household supplies; radiation; and waste disposal). Health care professionals were also asked four questions about their knowledge of and their needs in Paediatric Environmental Health. Parents and guardians attending the public health centres and nurses working therein received questionnaires. Physicians were surveyed by e-mail.

RESULTS

After verification, the questionnaire data from 400 parents or guardians and 152 health care professionals were used for analyses. Results from contingency table, Hotelling’s T² and effect size analyses revealed similarities in the levels of concern in both groups, and the results were combined. The greatest concern of both groups was with environmental tobacco smoke, followed by pesticides in water. Concerns about six additional environmental elements were also expressed. The health care professionals showed a high level of concern about the need for resources, specific training and public education regarding paediatric environmental health.

CONCLUSION

A significant level of concern was consistently found between the two groups studied, regardless of professional training. The highest level of concern was with a well-documented topic (ie, environmental tobacco smoke). Less concern associated with decreased documentation calls for increasing the knowledge of society, including health care professionals, to address the adverse effects of environmental factors on children.     

Paediatricians’ awareness of children’s oral health: Knowledge,training, attitudes and practices among Turkish paediatricians

BACKGROUND:

In Turkey, 74.1% of children between three and six years of age develop dental caries.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the depth of oral health and dental knowledge among paediatricians in Turkey, to determine their level of oral health education and to determine factors that were associated with higher knowledge scores.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey of demographics that assessed the participants’ knowledge of oral and dental health, attitudes regarding oral health during well-child visits and opinions regarding infant oral health care visits was conducted. The outcome variables were the proportions of paediatricians who adhered to good clinical practice guidelines, recommended dental visits for children younger than one year of age, and having a knowledge score >50%.

RESULTS:

The participant characteristics that were significantly associated with a greater mean number of correct answers were female sex, good clinical practice, confidence in detecting dental caries and the presence of a dentistry department in their hospital (P=0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.02, respectively). Only 13.9% of paediatricians referred children younger than one year of age to a dentist. After adjusting for the level of oral health education received during residency training, sex and having children, only the knowledge score was significantly associated with referring patients younger than one year of age to a dentist (P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Some paediatricians’ knowledge was found to be associated with practices that were in accordance with professional society recommendations. The lack of dental knowledge and training in residency limits the paediatricians’ role in promoting children’s oral health in daily practice.     

Knowledge of paediatric concussion among front-line primary care providers

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the knowledge of paediatric concussion diagnosis and management among front-line primary care providers.

METHODS:

Experts from the Concussions Ontario Diagnosis and Early Education Working Group developed a 34-item survey incorporating case vignettes with the collaboration of experts in medical education. Electronic surveys were distributed via FluidSurveys using a modified version of Dillman’s tailored design method. The survey was distributed to five Ontario professional associations. The target participants were front-line health care providers (family physicians, emergency medicine physicians, general paediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in Ontario; only providers who diagnose and/or manage paediatric concussions were eligible to participate.

RESULTS:

The survey was fully completed by 577 health care providers who treat paediatric concussion. Of the respondents, 78% (95% CI 74% to 81%) reported diagnosing ≥5 concussions annually. Physicians and nonphysicians equally recognized concussion (90% [95% CI 86% to 92%]; 85% [95% CI 77% to 90%], respectively). Only 37% (95% CI 32% to 41%) of physicians correctly applied graduated return to play guidelines. Return to learn recommendations were also insufficient: 53% (95% CI 49% to 58%) neglected to recommend school absence and 40% (95% CI (35% to 44%) did not recommend schoolwork accommodations. Only 26% (95% CI 22% to 30%) of physicians reported regular use of concussion scoring scales.

CONCLUSIONS:

Considerable gaps in knowledge exist in front-line primary care providers with inadequate application of graduated return to play and return to learn following concussion, as demonstrated by the present broad population-based survey. Consistent application of best evidence-based management using comprehensive guidelines may help to reduce the impact of concussion and persistent postconcussive problems in children and adolescents.     

Demographic characteristics and needs of the Canadian urban adolescent mother and her child

INTRODUCTION:

There is a paucity of Canadian-based literature on urban adolescent mothers and their children. To inform clinical assessment and interventions and to mitigate the risks that adolescent mothers and their children face, it is essential to understand the characteristics of this high-risk population.

METHODS:

A retrospective review of 116 adolescent mothers attending an urban academic hospital-based outpatient clinic in Canada from 2005 to 2009 was conducted. The following information was collected: demographic characteristics, maternal maltreatment history, substance use, postpartum depression symptoms, and child socioemotional and developmental functioning.

RESULTS:

The mean maternal age was 16.1 years and the mean education level was grade 9. Ninety-nine percent of adolescent mothers were single, 47% had a history of child welfare involvement and 18% had previous involvement with the judicial system. More than one-half of participants reported a history of both maltreatment and substance abuse, and 20% of adolescent mothers scored in the clinical range for postpartum depression. A substantial proportion of children scored in the clinical range for behavioural problems, regulatory difficulties and suspected developmental delays.

CONCLUSION:

The present study serves to illustrate the high-risk nature of urban adolescent mothers. These observations can be used to improve clinical practice for health care providers in community and hospital-based settings working with this population.     

Just between Us: An Integrative Review of Confidential Care for Adolescents

Introduction

Confidential care is recommended for all adolescents to facilitate risk behavior screening and discussion of sensitive topics. Only 40% of adolescents receive confidential care. The purpose of this integrative review is to describe research related to the practice of confidential care for adolescents. Evidence was analyzed to identify strategies to increase confidential care and improve risk behavior screening.

Childhood overweight and obesity management: A national perspective of primary health care providers' views, practices, perceived barriers and needs

BACKGROUND:

Obesity and overweight in children are an escalating problem in Canada and worldwide. Currently, little is known about the manner in which primary health care providers are responding to Canada’s obesity epidemic.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the views, practices, challenges/barriers, and needs of a national sample of family physicians (FPs) and community paediatricians (CPs) with respect to paediatric obesity identification and management.

METHODS:

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1200 FPs and 1200 CPs across Canada between 2005 and 2006.

RESULTS:

A total of 464 FPs and 396 CPs participated. The majority of practitioners viewed paediatric obesity as an ‘important’/‘very important’ issue. Although the majority reported providing dietary (more than 85%) and exercise (98%) advice to their overweight/obese patients, practitioners’ perceived success rate in treating paediatric obesity was limited (less than 22%). Approximately 30% of FPs and 60% of CPs (P<0.05) used the recommended method to identify paediatric obesity. At least 50% of practitioners indicated that too few government-funded dietitians, a lack of success in controlling paediatric patients’ weight, time constraints and limited training were key barriers to their success. To support efforts to identify or manage paediatric obesity, practitioners identified the need for office tools, patient educational materials and system-level changes.

DISCUSSION:

Canadian primary health care providers are not adequately equipped to deal with the paediatric obesity epidemic. Effective assessment tools and treatment resources, dissemination of clinical practice guidelines, enhanced undergraduate medical education and postgraduate continuing medical education, and system-level changes are urgently needed to address this health problem.     

Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements

BACKGROUND:

Formal sexual education is a mandatory component of the high school curriculum in most Canadian provinces. The present study was a preliminary assessment of sexual knowledge among a sample of Ontario adolescents who had completed their high school sexual education requirements.

METHODS:

A questionnaire, testing understanding of the learning objectives of Ontario’s minimally required high school sexual education course, was distributed in a paediatric emergency department to 200 adolescent patients who had completed the course.

RESULTS:

Respondents demonstrated good understanding of pregnancy physiology and sexually transmitted infections, but poor understanding of concepts related to reproductive physiology, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexual assault. Most respondents could not identify Canada’s age of sexual consent.

CONCLUSIONS:

Respondents demonstrated concerning gaps in sexual knowledge despite completion of their sexual education requirements. Further studies must determine whether a representative, population-based student sample would exhibit similar findings. Sexual education currently offered in Ontario may require investigation.     

Chiropractic treatment of patients younger than 18 years of age: Frequency, patterns and chiropractors�� beliefs

OBJECTIVES:

To explore how and when chiropractors are involved in the care of patients younger than 18 years of age, and to examine chiropractors’ beliefs about treating paediatric patients.

DESIGN:

A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 140 chiropractors practising in Alberta. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire, which elicited practice information and chiropractors’ beliefs, and included closed-and open-ended questions related to six vignettes of paediatric health problems.

RESULTS:

Fifty-seven per cent of chiropractors responded to the questionnaire. All chiropractors indicated that they treat patients younger than 18 years of age. Nine per cent of respondents do not treat patients younger than age two years, and 4% do not treat patients from ages six to 11 years. On average, 13% of chiropractors’ total patient load over the month preceding the completion of the questionnaires consisted of patients younger than the age of 18 years. With increasing age, patients are more likely to present with musculoskeletal problems (23% of patients younger than age two years, 84% of those aged 14 to 17 years). Chiropractors reported that they provided musculoskeletal treatment regardless of the cause of the problem. A high percentage of chiropractors refer to physicians and reported that they would like to provide concomitant care with physicians.

CONCLUSION:

The present study has shown that chiropractors do treat children and that their opinions about this practice vary by specific condition. In addition, substantial percentages of chiropractors indicated that they would like to work with physicians in treating patients with nonmusculoskeletal conditions.     

Maternal relationship style, paediatric health care use and infant health

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the current exploratory study was to examine the relationships between maternal relationship style, paediatric health care use and infant health variables in a sample of middle-class and ethnically diverse mother-infant dyads.

METHODS:

An initial cross-sectional cohort study obtained demographic and self-report data on mothers’ relationship styles. As an extension of the original study, infants’ patient files were reviewed for the year following initial recruitment to obtain data regarding the use of paediatric health care services and infant health. The final sample included 64 mothers and their infants.

RESULTS:

Correlational analyses revealed that mothers’ higher endorsement of a dismissive relationship style were associated with fewer acute care visits and fewer reported infant illnesses.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with other relationship styles, mothers who highly endorsed a dismissive relationship style tended to use fewer acute paediatric health care services and reported fewer infant health problems. However, further longitudinal research is needed to clarify these relationships.     

Accuracy of parents and health care professionals at estimating infant emesis volume

OBJECTIVE

To quantify visual estimation inaccuracies of infant emesis by parents and caregivers (P/Cs) and health care professionals (HCPs).

METHODS:

A single-blinded survey was performed in which P/Cs and HCPs visually estimated predetermined volumes of simulated emesis spilled on receiving blankets or pyjamas.

RESULTS:

HCPs’ estimations of volumes 1 and 3 were 150.4% and 145.1%, respectively, of the actual volumes, and their estimations of volumes 2 and 4 were 81.9% and 85.8%, respectively, of the actual volumes. This was, on average, significantly more accurate than the P/Cs’ estimations (P<0.001 to P=0.002), which ranged from 130.4% to 275.7% of the actual volumes.

CONCLUSION:

P/Cs and HCPs were, on average, highly inaccurate at visually estimating simulated emesis volume, an important consideration when making clinical judgments based on these estimations. In addition, HCPs now have an evidence-based tool to use in their practice when reassuring and counselling anxious parents.     

A descriptive study of primary health care practices in Ontario’s youth custody facilities

BACKGROUND:

Adolescents admitted to youth custody facilities are often in need of physical and mental health care.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe primary health care practices in Ontario’s youth custody facilities.

METHOD:

A questionnaire regarding facility characteristics and primary health care practices was distributed to the directors of all youth custody facilities in Ontario.

RESULTS:

Most (87.8%) facilities obtained medical histories after the youth arrived, and 92% used health care professionals to perform that assessment. Intake medical examinations were performed on each youth admitted to custody at 94% of all facilities; however, only 57.2% of facilities reported that these examinations were performed by a doctor within 72 h of admission. Performing suicide assessments on all youth at intake was reported by 77.6% of facilities. Continuous health education was provided by 76% of facilities. Facility type and type of management appear to be related to some areas of health services provision.

CONCLUSIONS:

Youth custody facilities in Ontario are providing primary health care services. Weaknesses are, however, evident, particularly in relation to untimely intake medical examinations, failure to provide continuous health education and failure to conduct suicide assessments on all youth at intake. Future research on barriers to health service provision in Canadian youth custody facilities is recommended.     

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula and coordination of care: Expectations and realities

BACKGROUND

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare congenital anomaly with chronic morbidities. Aside from health care costs, the authors suspected that additional burden rests on the family due to hospitalizations, radiological and surgical procedures, and frequent outpatient visits. It was speculated that this complex care is poorly coordinated. The objective of the present study was to document utilization and coordination of health care services for children with TEF at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (Calgary, Alberta).

METHODS

Medical records of children with TEF (primary surgical repair at Alberta Children’s Hospital between April 1994 and September 1999) were reviewed for demographics, TEF type, associated anomalies, age at diagnosis and repair, health services utilization data, and radiological and surgical procedures.

RESULTS

Twenty-two children were identified, of whom 18 survived beyond one year. Ten of these 18 children were male. Average gestational age and birth weight were 37.4 weeks (range 32 to 42 weeks) and 2512 g (range 780 g to 3950 g), respectively. Seventy-eight per cent of children had at least one associated anomaly. Median initial hospital and intensive care unit stays were 27.5 days and 12 days, respectively. During year 1 of life, there was a median of 31 radiological examinations, five surgical procedures, 2.5 hospital admissions and five outpatient clinic visits. Coordination of procedures and outpatient visits was poor. In year 2 of life, children had fewer procedures, admissions and outpatient visits; between years 2 and 5, procedures or admissions were rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with TEF endure multiple procedures and lengthy hospital admissions in early life. There was easy access to, but minimal coordination of, subspecialist care, procedures and admissions. A dedicated multidisciplinary clinic for children with TEF should improve care.     

Modest treatment effects and high program attrition: The impact of interdisciplinary,individualized care for managing paediatric obesity

BACKGROUND:

There is an urgent need to identify effective weight management interventions in real-world, clinical settings to improve the health of children with obesity.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the impact of individualized, interdisciplinary care on the weight status of children with obesity; to assess the relationship between clinical interactions and change in participants’ weight status; and to document the degree of program attrition.

METHODS:

A retrospective medical record review of clinical and administrative data from a paediatric weight management clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, was performed, which included data from a group of five- to 18-year-olds (body mass index [BMI] ≥85th percentile) collected from 2008 to 2012. Demographic, anthropometric and attendance data were retrieved from baseline and follow-up at three-, seven- and 11-month timepoints. The primary outcomes were participants’ BMI z-score and change in BMI z-score over time.

RESULTS:

Data from 165 individuals were included. Among those with follow-up anthropometric data, weight stabilization occurred at three (n=127) and seven months (n=84). For individuals with follow-up anthropometric data at 11 months (n=44), BMI z-score tended to decrease over time (−0.05±0.12 units; P=0.06). Program attrition increased over time (23%, 49% and 73% at three-, seven- and 11-month follow-ups, respectively). Between presentation and three-month follow-up, there was an inverse relationship between the number of clinical appointments attended and change in BMI z-score (r= −0.18; P=0.04), an association that became nonsignificant at seven and 11 months (both P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

An individualized, interdisciplinary weight management intervention led to weight stabilization and a modest weight reduction in children with obesity. Strategies to minimize program attrition are needed to optimize family engagement in care and success in managing paediatric obesity.     

A collaborative outreach clinic for pregnant youth and adolescent mothers: Description of a pilot clinic and its patients

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the pregnant youth and adolescent parents seen at an adolescent health outreach clinic in an urban community setting during a two-year pilot project.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart review of all adolescents who presented at the monthly half-day clinics from January 2008 through January 2010 (n=36) was performed. Measures extracted from charts included demographic information, reason for referral, social history, mental health history and outcome of assessment.

RESULTS:

All participants were female (mean age 17 years). Forty-two percent were pregnant at initial assessment, while the remainder had one or two children, or a recent pregnancy loss. Sixty-one percent had no primary care physician. The primary reason for referral was mental health concerns, most commonly depression. Almost one-half of patients relied on social assistance and almost one-third were living in shelters. At the time of first visit, 42% of patients were not attending school; the highest level of school completed for most patients was grade 8. The majority had a history of mental health issues and previous drug and/or alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adolescents presenting to the clinic had a history of disadvantage in terms of income, educational attainment, living arrangements and mental health background, and are in need of various health services including primary care practitioners. These findings will help to inform future program development for these vulnerable youth, and have implications for practitioners caring for this population.     

Net cost of palivizumab for respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis during the 1998/99 season in northern Alberta

OBJECTIVE:

Palivizumab has been shown to decrease respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization rates in preterm infants and infants with chronic lung disease. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the use of palivizumab during the 1998/99 RSV season would have resulted in a cost-saving in infants discharged from Edmonton hospitals.

DESIGN:

A retrospective study of RSV hospitalizations was performed by contacting parents and reviewing hospital lists. The net cost of using palivizumab was determined by comparing the cost of giving the drug from November 1, 1998 to April 1, 1999 with the cost of potentially averted medical transports and hospitalizations.

POPULATION:

One hundred fifty-nine infants discharged from Edmonton hospitals who met the Canadian Paediatric Society’s criteria for receiving palivizumab during the 1998/99 RSV season were studied.

RESULTS:

The cost of using palivizumab in these 159 study infants would have been $753,300. The infants had 21 RSV hospitalizations and required four medical transports. The estimated cost of RSV hospital-based care for these infants was $168,888. Assuming a drug efficacy of 39% in infants with chronic lung disease and 78% in infants born before 33 weeks’ gestation with no chronic lung disease, $121,147 of these costs could have been averted if palivizumab had been used.

CONCLUSIONS:

The net cost to the health care system of using palivizumab, as recommended in the Canadian Paediatric Society guidelines, in study infants in northern Alberta during the 1998/99 RSV season would have been $632,153.     

Development and validation of a self-efficacy scale for clinical decision-making in general paediatrics

BACKGROUND:

Success in a task is not only related to skill, but it is also related to ‘self-efficacy’, or belief in one’s capability to perform that task. No tool currently exists to measure self-efficacy in clinical decision-making in general paediatrics.

OBJECTIVE:

To develop and provide validity evidence for the General Pediatrics-specific Self-Efficacy (GPedsSE) scale.

METHODS:

The five-item GPedsSE scale, developed using an expert panel, was matched to the New General Self-Efficacy (NGSE) scale’s structure for validity analysis purposes. Thirty-six postgraduate year 1 to postgraduate year 5 paediatric residents of the Montreal Children’s Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) completed the GPedsSE and NGSE scales, with items interspersed.

RESULTS:

The mean (± SD) GPedsSE score was 18.6±2.6 of 25. Total GPedsSE and NGSE scores were moderately correlated (r=0.54, P<0.005). On planned comparison, the GPedsSE score increased with training year (F[1.3]=6.62; P<0.001), while the NGSE score did not (F<0.37). Exploratory factor analysis showed two components, each aligning with a scale.

CONCLUSION:

The GPedsSE scale contextualizes an existing tool to general paediatrics, a novel concurrent validity approach.