Competencies of junior medical doctors in managing seriously ill and injured children: time to rethink our current training approach?

Background: The correct treatment of very ill and injured children is critical, yet little is known about the competencies of South African (SA) junior doctors in managing these children.

Methods: This survey documents SA junior doctors' reported resuscitation training opportunities, experience, skills and knowledge.

Results: A total of 118 doctors (interns, medical officers and registrars) from paediatric departments affiliated with 7 medical schools, participated. Resuscitations were not rare events with 71% (84/118) reporting participation in >10 resuscitations during the preceding 2 years. Yet a third of doctors have not attended an accredited resuscitation training course within the last 2 years; 34% (12/35) medical officers and 29% (18/63) registrars, respectively, with 42% (49/118) of all participants never receiving any formal resuscitation training during employment. Feedback on performance is not standard practice with only 8% (10/118) reporting consistent debriefing after a resuscitation. Although 72% (85/118) reported their resuscitation knowledge as adequate, 56% (66/118) passed the knowledge test.

Conclusion: This study recognized missed learning opportunities in junior doctors' training, assessment, debriefing and knowledge which may adversely affect the quality of care in managing paediatric emergencies. This has implications for departmental and post-graduate training programmes.