Choose Paediatrics: Engaging Medical Students and Foundation Doctors in a Career in Paediatrics during the Covid-19 Pandemic Via an Online Paediatric Careers Conference

ABSTRACT

Aims The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the shape of undergraduate and postgraduate medical training, with medical students unable to spend time on the wards and post rotations for junior doctors paused. We recognised that the opportunity to gain insight into a career in paediatrics was significantly limited as a result. In conjunction with our local children's hospital charity, we arranged an online paediatrics careers conference for foundation year doctors and medical students in June 2021. Objectives * Introduce attendees to paediatrics as a speciality, including different career paths within paediatrics. * Increase knowledge about building a paediatric-orientated CV, and the process of applying for paediatric training. * Provide a platform for medical students and foundation doctors to present their own research in the field of paediatrics. * Assess the impact of the conference on attendees via a post-conference survey with regards to knowledge of paediatric training, intention to apply to paediatrics and experience of an online learning platform for conference delivery Methods * * Pre-conference survey sent to medical students and foundation doctors locally to assess interest and availability. * One day online conference organised on the communication platform Zoom and advertised through university and postgraduate channels. * Live and pre-recorded talks on various paediatric subspecialties, CV building, opportunities throughout undergraduate training and practical aspects of applying for training. * Poster and oral presentations from conference attendees. * Post-conference survey to assess change in perceived knowledge about paediatric careers and likelihood to apply for training. Results There were 48 conference attendees from across the United Kindgom. Forty-two post-conference surveys were received;with the following feedback collated A key finding was that 69% of attendees had received no information about paediatric careers at medical school, and 84% received none during foundation training prior to this conference. Knowledge about paediatric careers * 85% rated their knowledge about paediatric careers as 'good' or 'excellent' (14% pre-conference) * 83% rated their knowledge about building a CV as 'good' or 'excellent' (19% pre-conference, 'good' only) * 83% rated their knowledge about applying for paediatrics as 'good' or 'excellent' (12% pre-conference, 'good' only) Intention to apply to paediatrics * 83% would 'probably' or 'definitely' apply for a foundation programme with a paediatrics post (60% pre-conference) * 64% would 'probably' or 'definitely' apply for paediatrics speciality training (47% pre-conference) Suitability of Zoom platform * 100% found the platform appropriate for their learning needs. * 86% felt it was easy to engage with speakers. * 95% would attend another online conference in the future, although 65% would prefer a face-to-face conference. The most useful topics covered (as reported by attendees) included information regarding application for paediatric speciality training, how to build a paediatric-specific CV, and discussion of the variety of careers paths and subspecialties available within paediatrics. Conclusion Attendees found the online platform accessible and appropriate for their learning needs, and following the conference had increased self-reported knowledge of building a paediatric-specific CV, applying to paediatric training, and career paths within paediatrics. Furthermore an online paediatrics careers conference can increase the self-reported likelihood of applying for paediatric posts during foundation years and speciality training.