Pubertal assessment: a national survey of attitudes, knowledge and practices of the US pediatric trainees

Pediatric Endocrinology Education Among Trainees: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric endocrinology education is a fundamental part of all pediatric endocrinology training. Hence, understanding the current methods used for training learners on skills required and understanding methods or topics that may be underexplored could help improve the quality of training.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore training and assessment strategies used in pediatric endocrinology training across medical education programs through a scoping review.

METHODS

Search strategy was developed with a librarian, and bibliographic databases (e.g., MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched from January 2005 to July 2024. Pilot screenings ensured consistent inclusion/exclusion decisions among reviewers. Full-text articles were included if they were related to pediatric endocrinology education and focused on medical learners.

RESULTS

We included 45 of 5814 sources of evidence for data extraction. Majority focused on knowledge of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and diabetes ketoacidosis (N = 18), followed by differences in sex development and pubertal assessment (N = 12). The most frequently used training method was through didactics. Additionally, the most frequently used assessment measures included knowledge tests (N = 25). Also, a limited number of studies targeted obesity (N = 2), gender care (N = 3), thyroid (N = 1) and hypoglycaemia (N = 1), and no studies targeted common topics such as bone health and adrenal insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

This review reveals the current emphasis on diabetes-related topics and traditional teaching in pediatric endocrinology education. It suggests a need for more innovative methods, like simulation-based learning and varied assessment techniques, to better equip trainees. Addressing these gaps can improve trainee confidence, patient care, and health outcomes for children with endocrine disorders.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Clinical pubertal assessment

A pubertal assessment is an important part of the clinical examination of a young person. Clinicians must be empowered to do this confidently and in a sensitive manner. Tanner staging allows an objective measurement of pubertal status, including pubic and axillary hair growth, and breast or genital development. Alongside history, age and growth patterns, pubertal assessment can identify normal, precocious, delayed or arrested puberty and be suggestive of underlying pathology. This article aims to familiarise clinicians with the pubertal assessment, both the examination and interpretation.