Paediatric musculoskeletal learning needs for general practice trainees: achieving an expert consensus.

BACKGROUND

Paediatric musculoskeletal (pMSK) disorders are common in clinical practice, but training in their recognition and management is suboptimal at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Exposure to pMSK conditions is variable in GP training, and there is no standardised curriculum for what GPs should know about pMSK medicine.

AIM

To attain expert agreement on the gold standard of pMSK skills and knowledge required at completion of GP training.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Modified Delphi process followed by consensus group meeting and focus groups.

METHODS

Two iterative rounds of Delphi process conducted by email, followed by a face-to-face meeting of stakeholders. Items with >80% agreement included in final curriculum statement. Member checking by GPs conducted through focus group meetings.

RESULTS

A curriculum covered by 12 overarching statements was developed, with positive feedback from GP educators on the feasibility of delivering the curriculum and usefulness of the items.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of expert-derived learning needs to the GP curriculum on pMSK medicine should help with improving the recognition and management of children with MSK disorders.