Impressions of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Subspecialty by Pediatric Residents and Medical Students Following a Peds ID Elective Rotation

Abstract Background The subspecialty of Pediatric Infectious Diseases continues to struggle with a low number of applicants seeking fellowship training relative to the number of fellowship programs and open training positions. This trend is worrisome as many fellowship programs are operating under their training capacity, with concern for how this will impact the diversity and distribution of the future workforce. We wished to explore the impressions that medical students and pediatric resident physicians gathered about the subspecialty following the completion of a Peds ID elective experience as a Quality Improvement initiative to bolster recruitment into Peds ID fellowship training. Methods Resident physicians in Pediatrics (PGY2-PGY3), Medicine-Pediatrics (PGY1-PGY4), and Medical Students (MS3-MS4) rotating on the Peds ID elective, from July 2022 to the present, at the University of Michigan and C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), were questioned using a Qualtrics survey after their elective experience was completed. The survey was distributed every three to six months to capture responses from groups of learners to help preserve privacy. Survey participation was voluntary, and only anonymous responses in aggregate form were reported back to the Peds ID division leadership. Results The response rate to the survey has been ~50% (18 of 37 learners; 79% resident physicians and 21% medical students). Of the respondents, 100% of learners reported a high educational value in participating in a Peds ID elective. Despite 0% of this cohort of learners considering Peds ID as a career before the elective, ~13% of learners reported considering Peds ID fellowship after their elective experience. Respondents indicated that 1) expertise in the subject matter of infectious diseases and microbiology, 2) a mixture of inpatient and outpatient clinical experiences, and 3) opportunities to participate in medical education, were the top three most attractive aspects of the Peds ID subspecialty. In contrast, respondents indicated that 1) compensation, 2) lifestyle and work schedule, and 3) antimicrobial stewardship responsibilities, were the three least attractive aspects of the Peds ID subspecialty. Respondents indicated that 1) Pediatric Hospital Medicine, 2) Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and 3) Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, were the top three subspecialties they were most likely considering for fellowship. Conclusion Peds ID remains a popular elective among learners who frequently praise the educational content and quality of teaching provided. Relatively low compensation and busy work schedules were two of the main negative impressions reported as limiting interest in pursuing fellowship training. Despite these impressions, participation in a Peds ID elective did lead to >10% of learners now considering Peds ID for their future careers. This should prompt consideration in support of a mandatory Peds ID experience during residency training as another potential way to improve future trainee recruitment. This survey identified important issues for our subspecialty to address through local and national advocacy to improve overall working conditions and compensation, thereby helping train and sustain an appropriate Peds ID workforce for the future.