The First Paediatric Induction Seminar and Handbook: Excellent Tools for the Integration of New Paediatric Trainees

Background: Every year new specialist trainees are accepted into our department. Beginning a new job is fraught with anxiety. A two day induction seminar was designed in order to ease new doctors’ transition into a new working environment. An accompanying handbook was written with the aim of providing tips on integrating into a new specialty.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of the new Induction Seminar and Handbook, as well as to elicit feedback and suggestions for improvement in the coming years.

Methods: An anonymous online mixed-method questionnaire was circulated to all 5 new trainees. The questionnaire contained a quantitative element (Likert scales from 1 to 5) to assess usefulness of the handbook, sub-specialty talks, staff wellbeing talk, introductions to the Malta Paediatric Association (MPA) and our local trainee organisation, as well as the induction to the Paediatric Emergency Department. Open-ended questions assessed for further qualitative feedback and any suggestions for improvement.

Results: A response rate of 100% (5/5) was achieved. Quantitative feedback was excellent with all respondents assigning a score of 5 for the usefulness of all talks with the exception of one trainee who gave the talks on subspecialties, the MPA, and our trainee organisation a rating of 4. Qualitative feedback was similarly positive, describing the seminar as “a great welcome to the department!” and the handbook as “very informative and helpful”. Recommendations for improvement included a talk on post-natal care of the newborn and introductions to other healthcare workers in our department.

Conclusion: Induction seminars and a handbook are excellent tools to ease trainees’ transition into a new department. Both elements received positive reviews. Similar initiatives can be replicated elsewhere, and may contribute to improved wellbeing of junior doctors. The feedback will be used to fine-tune next year’s induction seminar and the second edition of the handbook.