Medical education in pediatrics: attitude assessment in health promotion and preventive care

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate attitudes in childcare and primary care in pediatrics, as well as aspects of training and medical education for residents in pediatrics consistent with the current medical paradigm. METHODS: the subjects were 133 residents of six pediatrics residency services in the city of Porto Alegre, RS. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed consisting of a questionnaire and an attitude measurement scale (Likert scale). Thirty propositions related to the issues of child care and primary care in pediatrics were simultaneously submitted to small groups of residents at their residency settings. RESULTS: women outnumbered men in a ratio of three to one in the residency programs. The majority aimed at a specialty in pediatrics, principally the ones involving high-tech procedures. Choices were influenced by prior training and by professors or tutors, although they stated they would like to work in prevention in the future. As for the scale, 87% had the right attitudes, both positive and negative, according to the Golden standard applied. CONCLUSIONS: the result obtained in this study related to attitude was very satisfactory but future professional choices are a concern to the medical educational system. The authors suggest that studies on attitude be further developed and improved to become a source of input for new strategies in the area of pediatrics education.