Competency-based training for paediatric residents caring for children with medical complexity.

Abstract

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are characterized by medical fragility, multisystem disease involvement, and medical technology use. Due to the complexities of care needs, CMC requires a tailored approach to care relying on intensive care coordination and consideration of the family and caregiver experience. With increasing access to medical technology and technological innovation that has improved, the prevalence of CMC is increasing. Postgraduate paediatric training needs to equip trainees to care for this population of children, including complex chronic disease management, medical technology use, health maintenance, care coordination, and optimizing family and child quality of life and well-being. Competency-based education in paediatric postgraduate training should embed principles in the care of CMC throughout training. Equipping future paediatricians with enhanced capacity to care for CMC and their families, including the ability to perform core clinical activities, would improve physician, patient, and family experience and care outcomes for this population.