A Roadmap for the Student Pursuing a Career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Three pathways are available to students considering a pediatric emergency medicine(PEM) career: pediatric residency followed by PEM fellowship (Peds-PEM); emergency medicineresidency followed by PEM fellowship (EM-PEM); and combined EM and pediatrics residency(EM&Peds). Questions regarding differences between the training pathways are common amongmedical students. We present a comparative analysis of training pathways highlighting majorcurricular differences to aid in students’ understanding of these training options.Methods: All currently credentialed training programs for each pathway with curricula publishedon their websites were included. We analyzed dedicated educational units (EU) core to all threepathways: emergency department (ED), pediatric-only ED, critical care, and research. Minimumrequirements for primary residencies were assumed for fellowship trainees.Results: Of the 75 Peds-PEM, 34 EM-PEM, and 4 EM&Peds programs screened, 85% of Peds-PEM and EM-PEM and all EM&Peds program curricula were available for analysis. AveragePeds-PEM EUs were 20.4 EM, 20.1 pediatric-only EM, 5.8 critical care, and 9.0 research. AverageEM-PEM EUs were 33.2 EM, 18.3 pediatric-only EM, 6.5 critical care, and 3.3 research. AverageEM&Peds EUs were 26.1 EM, 8.0 pediatric-only EM, 10.0 critical care, and 0.3 research.Conclusion: All three pathways exceed pediatric-focused training required for EM or pediatricresidency. Peds-PEM has the most research EUs, EM-PEM the most EM EUs, and EM&Pedsthe most critical care EUs. All prepare graduates for a pediatric emergency medicine career. Understanding the difference in emphasis between pathways can inform students to select the bestpathway for their own careers.

A Roadmap for the Student Pursuing a Career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Three pathways are available to students considering a pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) career: pediatric residency followed by PEM fellowship (Peds-PEM); emergency medicine residency followed by PEM fellowship (EM-PEM); and combined EM and pediatrics residency (EM&Peds). Questions regarding differences between the training pathways are common among medical students. We present a comparative analysis of training pathways highlighting major curricular differences to aid in students' understanding of these training options. Methods: All currently credentialed training programs for each pathway with curricula published on their websites were included. We analyzed dedicated educational units (EU) core to all three pathways: emergency department (ED), pediatric-only ED, critical care, and research. Minimum requirements for primary residencies were assumed for fellowship trainees. Results: Of the 75 Peds-PEM, 34 EM-PEM, and 4 EM&Peds programs screened, 85% of Peds-PEM and EM-PEM and all EM&Peds program curricula were available for analysis. Average Peds-PEM EUs were 20.4 EM, 20.1 pediatric-only EM, 5.8 critical care, and 9.0 research. Average EM-PEM EUs were 33.2 EM, 18.3 pediatric-only EM, 6.5 critical care, and 3.3 research. Average EM&Peds EUs were 26.1 EM, 8.0 pediatric-only EM, 10.0 critical care, and 0.3 research. Conclusion: All three pathways exceed pediatric-focused training required for EM or pediatric residency. Peds-PEM has the most research EUs, EM-PEM the most EM EUs, and EM&Peds the most critical care EUs. All prepare graduates for a pediatric emergency medicine career. Understanding the difference in emphasis between pathways can inform students to select the best pathway for their own careers.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

A Roadmap for the Student Pursuing a Career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Three pathways are available to students considering a pediatric emergency medicine(PEM) career: pediatric residency followed by PEM fellowship (Peds-PEM); emergency medicineresidency followed by PEM fellowship (EM-PEM); and combined EM and pediatrics residency(EM&Peds). Questions regarding differences between the training pathways are common amongmedical students. We present a comparative analysis of training pathways highlighting majorcurricular differences to aid in students’ understanding of these training options.Methods: All currently credentialed training programs for each pathway with curricula publishedon their websites were included. We analyzed dedicated educational units (EU) core to all threepathways: emergency department (ED), pediatric-only ED, critical care, and research. Minimumrequirements for primary residencies were assumed for fellowship trainees.Results: Of the 75 Peds-PEM, 34 EM-PEM, and 4 EM&Peds programs screened, 85% of Peds-PEM and EM-PEM and all EM&Peds program curricula were available for analysis. AveragePeds-PEM EUs were 20.4 EM, 20.1 pediatric-only EM, 5.8 critical care, and 9.0 research. AverageEM-PEM EUs were 33.2 EM, 18.3 pediatric-only EM, 6.5 critical care, and 3.3 research. AverageEM&Peds EUs were 26.1 EM, 8.0 pediatric-only EM, 10.0 critical care, and 0.3 research.Conclusion: All three pathways exceed pediatric-focused training required for EM or pediatricresidency. Peds-PEM has the most research EUs, EM-PEM the most EM EUs, and EM&Pedsthe most critical care EUs. All prepare graduates for a pediatric emergency medicine career. Understanding the difference in emphasis between pathways can inform students to select the bestpathway for their own careers.