Developmental / Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Program Goals

Patient Care

Goals

DBP Fellows will provide family-centered patient care that is developmentally oriented, compassionate, and effective. Fellows will utilize shared-decision making with families to prevent and treat developmental and behavioral problems and disorders.

Objectives

Fellows will be able to:

• Gather accurate, precise, and pertinent information from family and child interviews, physical examination, diagnostic studies, developmental and behavioral screening, surveillance and assessment;
• Arrive at correct and informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions utilizing knowledge of major developmental and behavioral classification schemes and evidence based guidelines, while implementing information technology (EPIC Medical Record), prioritized patient data, and appropriate consultations;
• Formulate and implement effective patient/family education and anticipatory guidance, consultation, and referral, individual and family counseling, behavioral therapies, longitudinal care, and psychopharmacology. Fellows will develop expertise in ongoing management of behavioral medications;
• Understand and utilize the therapeutic approaches and therapies of a wide range of disciplines, including psychiatry, psychology, neurology, child development and education, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, audiology, nutrition, nursing, and neurodevelopmental disabilities;
• Identify families utilizing Complementary and Alternative therapies for their children with developmental and behavioral disorders and advise families on the related available scientific evidence as well as risks and benefits.

Medical Knowledge

Goals

Fellows will demonstrate knowledge in current and emerging clinical, biomedical, epidemiological, social and behavioral, and neuro-sciences, as pertinent to patient care, teaching, and research activities in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.

Objectives

Fellows will:

• Gain and apply knowledge in typical development and behavior and the underlying biological mechanisms, theoretical frameworks of human development, psychosocial, familial, and cultural factors that influence child development, developmental and behavioral dimensions of general pediatric conditions and their treatments, common and rare developmental-behavioral disorders, and pathophysiological mechanisms;
• Learn to efficiently access, critically analyze, and appropriately use current biomedical guidelines and literature in clinical and research endeavors;
• Design an independent research project with appropriate faculty mentorship and collect, manage, and analyze the relevant data.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Goals

Fellows will demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills in sharing verbal and written information with patients and families, other trainees, interdisciplinary team members and other professional colleagues.

Objectives

Fellows will:

• Establish and maintain professional and therapeutic relationships with patients and families spanning a broad spectrum of socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, respectfully and compassionately engaging in effective communication using interpretation as needed, verbal and nonverbal skills and techniques;
• Prepare written patient reports and records that are comprehensive, timely, adherent to HIPPA guidelines of confidentiality, and clear so as to be understandable to those who will read and utilize them;
• Deliver effective communication in the role of teacher in diverse settings with patients, families, students, other trainees and physicians, and interdisciplinary team members, and appropriately use print materials as well as computer/internet technology and multimedia;
• Collaborate respectfully and supportively with consultants, interdisciplinary team members, and all associates of the health care delivery team;
• Participate in a positive and effective manner as both a member and leader of the interdisciplinary team, in clinical and non-clinical settings;
• Prepare and submit appropriately written research proposals and academic projects for approval, funding, and publication;
• Clearly communicate research and other project findings at seminars, conferences, and scientific meetings;
• Learn to effectively act as an advocate on behalf of children and families to promote healthy development and behavior at the community, regional, national, and international levels. Fellows will learn to use oral as well as written presentations to develop and deliver their advocacy agendas.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

Goals

Fellows will learn and utilize fundamental methods of scientific investigation, performance improvement, quality assurance and management to enable improvements in their care of patients and families, as well as that provided by the interdisciplinary care team.

Objectives

Fellows will be able to:

• Assume primary responsibility for improving their knowledge, skills, and practice performance, displaying the capacity to monitor and critically evaluate their strengths and weakness while appropriately consulting with faculty mentors for guidance and support;
• Utilize information technology to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from the biomedical literature that informs the general field of developmental-behavioral pediatrics and specifically the care of their patients;
• Assimilate performance evaluations provided by patients/families, interdisciplinary team members, other trainees and physicians, and faculty teachers and mentors into practice improvement;
• Organize, evaluate, present, and deliver feedback on the educational programs and learning gleaned from patients/families, other trainees, physicians, faculty teachers and mentors, and interdisciplinary team members;
• Function as part of a clinical performance improvement activity as both a team member and team leader;
• Assist in developing practices aimed at detecting, measuring, monitoring, and preventing medical errors.

Professionalism

Goals

Fellows will demonstrate a commitment to their continuous professional development, ethical practice, sensitivity to diversity, and an attitude of responsibility toward their patients and their families, their profession, and society.

Objectives

Fellows will:

• Exhibit respect, compassion, integrity, and altruism in their relationships with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members and other colleagues;
• Be sensitive and responsive to gender, age, culture, religion, sexual preferences, socioeconomic status, and cognitive, emotional, and physical differences, including disabilities, of patients, families, and colleagues;
• Accept responsibility for patient and family care while respecting the autonomy and privacy of patient/family in accordance with HIPPA regulations. Fellows will apply principles of shared decision-making;
• Apply the principles of confidentiality, scientific and academic integrity, and informed consent.

Systems-Based Practice

Goals

Fellows will demonstrate an understanding of the health care context and systems of care delivery and apply this to optimize health care.

Objectives

Fellows will:

• Be knowledgeable and adept at understanding, accessing, and coordinating resources and services relevant to developmental-behavioral pediatric care, including appropriate consultation with general pediatricians and subspecialists, hospitals and provider networks, early intervention programs, child care programs, schools, community agencies, parent support organizations, mental health care providers, and other healthcare and community organizations;
• Apply evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of developmental-behavioral disorders;
• Understand and appreciate the limitations and opportunities unique to various practice types and delivery systems and use this knowledge and awareness to optimize care for individual patients and populations;
• Collaborate and work synergistically with interdisciplinary team members to assist patients and families in need of support to access healthcare, social, developmental, or educational resources;
• Advocate through community, regional, state, national and international governing bodies and professional organization for positions, policies, and mandates that promote the health and quality of life of children with developmental and behavioral conditions and their families.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship