The National Pediatric Cardiology Boot Camp Training Program - Five Years' Evidence Of Consistent Educational Benefit

Introduction: The transition from residency to subspecialty fellowship in pediatric cardiology is challenging, with the daunting requirement to rapidly acquire a broad scope of knowledge and skill. In 2015, a pediatric cardiology boot camp was designed as an educational tool to help prepare trainees for this transition. Hypothesis: A national pediatric cardiology boot camp consistently improves knowledge and decreases anxiety for prospective fellows. Methods: In late spring each year (2015-2019), a 2.5-day intensive program was provided for trainees prior to beginning fellowship in July. Hands-on, simulation-based experiences were provided on topics including anatomy, auscultation, echocardiography, catheterization, cardiovascular intensive care, electrophysiology, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac surgery. Knowledge based exams and surveys were completed by each participant pre- and post-training. Pre- and post-training exam results were compared via paired t-tests and survey results were compared via Wilcoxon rank sum. Results: Over 5 years 144 participants (72 female, 50%) completed the course, representing 40 fellowship programs in the United States and Canada. In aggregate, significant improvement was seen in participants’ knowledge assessment (pre 45 ± 11% vs. post 71 ± 9%; p<0.0001). Post-intervention tests showed significant increases in knowledge every year, with a similar mean rate of improvement from year to year (25±10%; p=0.15). Participants in 2015 did score higher on both pre and post testing (pre 55±10%, post 85±7%; p<0.0001), but the improvement rate remained consistent. Pre- and post-program surveys showed significant improvement in 38 of 38 domains assessing comfort and anxiety (p<0.001 for each domain). All participants strongly agreed (97%) or agreed (3%) that the boot camp was a valuable learning experience and 98% strongly agreed (66%) or agreed (32%) that boot camp alleviated anxieties about starting fellowship. Conclusions: The Pediatric Cardiology Boot Camp provides a significant and reproducible educational benefit to participants nationwide. This intensive program simultaneously improves learners’ knowledge and alleviates anxiety as they transition to subspecialty training.