Providing quality case-based teaching materials to pediatric training programs worldwide

Pedicases is the name for the Bright Futures Center for Pediatric Education in Growth and Development, Behavior and Adolescent Health. It presents a learner-centered, case-based approach to curriculum development in keeping with Bright Future’s increased emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, and the need for early recognition of growth and development problems by all child health clinicians.

Behavioral pediatrics, growth, development, and adolescent medicine have not been easily taught until this case-based curriculum came along. The learner is thrust into the exam room, experiencing real problems that need answers. As each case unfolds, there is active discussion and learning between the teacher and learners. By implementing this case-based Bright Futures curriculum into Pediatric Residency Training Programs, residents learn to become “family-centered” physicians, enabling them to create effective patient/family and professional partnerships. This case-based teaching curriculum serves as part of the solution for training residents in the focused delivery of “family-centered” and “community-based” care.

Pedicases is a standardized case-based curriculum for pediatric residents on child growth, development, behavior and adolescent medicine, which incorporates the Bright Futures health supervision guidelines. Case-based teaching materials have been written, pilot-tested, and evaluated for more than 30 case topics. All the materials needed for a session are provided including the case narrative, handouts, bibliography, facilitator’s guide specific to the individual case, and evaluation forms. In addition, guidance is provided for facilitating case discussion with practical tips for application to the clinical conference setting. Ideas for implementation and adapting the approach in internal medicine, family practice, nursing, and medical education are also presented.