Validating objectives and training in Canadian paediatrics residency training programmes

Background: Changing health care systems and learning environments with reduction in resident work hours raises the question: “Are we adequately training our paediatricians?”Aims: (1) Identify clinical competencies to be acquired during paediatric residency training to enable graduates to practise as consultant paediatricians; (2) Identify gaps in preparedness during training and; (3) Review and validate competencies contained in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) objectives of training (OTR) for paediatrics.Methods: A questionnaire with 19 classification domains containing 92 clinical competencies was administered to RCPSC certified paediatricians who completed residency training in Canada from June 2004 to June 2008. For each competency, paediatricians were asked to indicate the importance and their degree of preparedness upon entering practice. Gap scores (GSs) between importance and preparedness were calculated.Results: Response rate was 43% (187/435); 91.3% (84/92) of comp...