Defining Competencies for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada

Strategic Insights -

Over the past three decades, Pediatric Hospital Medicine has expanded significantly in North America to address the increasing complexity and acuity of the pediatric inpatient population. However, the field in Canada lacks a national competency framework to guide curriculum and practice. This study aimed to address this gap by defining the scope of practice and training expectations for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada using the Delphi method.

Key Takeaways:

  • The field of Pediatric Hospital Medicine has expanded rapidly in North America over the past three decades, with 78 fellowship programs in the United States and a published Core Competencies framework.
  • Canadian fellowship programs lack a national competency framework, creating uncertainty in defining the scope of practice and training expectations for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada.
  • A national panel of 35 experts in Pediatric Hospital Medicine used the Delphi method to iteratively rate potential competencies, achieving consensus on 109 competencies that span the seven CanMEDS roles.
  • The competencies identified provide a framework for Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowship program directors to shape local curricula and may inform the development of comprehensive national fellowship curricula.
  • The study is the first to define competencies for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada.
  • The competencies identified may also be used to inform practice guidelines for Pediatric Hospital Medicine in Canada.

Statistics:

  • 35 panelists completed both survey rounds, representing 13 Canadian pediatric tertiary care centers and five community hospitals.
  • 176 initial competencies were identified, of which 109 achieved consensus.
  • The Delphi process required two rounds to reach consensus, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.95.
  • 80% of panelists assigned a rating of 4 to 109 competencies.

Sources:

  • "Developing a national competency framework for pediatric hospital medicine in Canada using the Delphi method." Canadian Medical Education Journal, 2025. (Canadian Medical Education Journal is the publisher. A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.36834/cmej.80136.)
  • NewsRx. Researchers' Work from University of Calgary Focuses on Medical Education (Developing a national competency framework for pediatric hospital medicine in Canada using the Delphi method). Health & Medicine Week. October 17, 2025; p 6900.