A novel, free regional conference model to increase interest and engagement of medical trainees in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology research.

Abstract

Declining interest in pediatrics, contraction of the pediatric gastroenterology fellowship applicant pool, and the long-standing erosion of the physician-scientist workforce threaten the future of pediatric academic medicine. Cost and logistical barriers to traditional academic conferences disproportionately affect trainees from underrepresented or resource-limited backgrounds and may compound these pipeline pressures. We developed Eats, Streets, and Beets (ESB), a free, trainee-centered regional pediatric nutrition conference held in Brooklyn, NY, combining faculty-led symposia, guaranteed podium presentations for every accepted abstract, and a community block party. A post-conference survey (n = 12; response rate 63.2%) demonstrated high overall satisfaction (mean 8.25/10) and self-reported increases in interest in research, pediatrics, and pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Trainee-only programming, podium-only presentations, and community engagement were most strongly associated with increased interest. This low-cost, replicable model may help reinvigorate trainee engagement across the pediatric and pediatric gastroenterology pipelines.