University of Oklahoma Health SCIS CTR

Problem:

While the subspecialty of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) has achieved board certification, there are still shortages of trained DBP specialists given the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to pediatric training. The inadequacy of the work force in DBP is even more noticeable in poor rural states such as Oklahoma.

Goals and Objectives:

The primary goal of this proposal is to expand the capacity of our currently accredited training program in DBP to train DBP physicians needed in Oklahoma and the surrounding region by expanding from training one every 3 years to one trainee yearly. A second goal of our program is to enhance the training of pediatric residents and provide quality improvement initiatives to primary care clinicians in the state. The goal one specific objectives are: 1. to train one new trainee each year in DBP who has the skills to be a leader in academic settings; 2. to provide the trainees with skills to facilitate systems change in their community, state and nation; and 3. to provide trainees with a strong interest in research with skills to become independent clinical researchers. The goal two specific objectives are: 1. to facilitate change in pediatric residency training to better focus on the biopsychosocial aspects of pediatrics; 2. to provide quality improvement and continuing medical education initiatives to practicing primary care pediatricians across the state in the area of DBP. Activities Undertaken to meet Project Goals: We propose to expand our training program to be able to recruit one trainee yearly and to further enhance our capacity to influence the Department of Pediatrics, community, state, and national programs. The program will extend its current resources of the LEND program and extensive clinical and research programs as well as Departmental training programs to provide the necessary academic skills. An innovative aspect of this training program is its integration with the program’s systems change initiatives to integrate at the community level the health, mental health, to have high quality, meaningful systems change experiences. HP 2010 Objectives: Our program addresses 5 of the 6 objectives for CSHCN through quality improvement projects in 9 counties so that trainees receive experience in these aspects as well as didactic material in their LEND experience.

Coordination:

Our program coordinates extensively with Title V program as well as other state agencies in a number of collaborative projects.

Evaluation:

Formative and summative evaluations to determine the functioning on the program and its benefits to trainees, public agencies and families are included.