Objectives To establish teaching objectives, methods and assessment for a p
aediatric induction programme.
Design Action research over a 2-year period.
Participants 88 doctors from three hospitals.
Main outcome measures These were end-of-course evaluations, using Likert sc
ales, and free comments; independent evaluation by the West Midlands Deaner
y 4 months after courses, in which participating and non-participating unit
s were compared, and summative assessment of trainees involving multiple-ch
oice questions, a basic life-support scenario and an illness scenario.
Results 88 participants attended four 3-day courses over 2 years. Mean sati
sfaction ratings were very high for content, personal value, and presentati
on. There was a significant rise in Deanery evaluation scores, compared wit
h non-significant change in other hospitals, and there were excellent pass
rates for trainees.
Conclusions Trainees strongly approve of induction with clear objectives, a
ctive teaching, and validated assessment.