Increasing Pediatric Hospitalist Knowledge of Evidence-Based 15- and 30-Month Developmental Milestones

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to provide an evidence-based educational presentation to inpatient pediatric hospitalists with the intent to improve provider knowledge on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated developmental milestones for the 15-and-30 month well child visits. Background: Recent updates through the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program was conducted to enhance early developmental surveillance and screening amongst providers in order to identify developmental delays and disabilities to ensure timely interventions and improve patient outcomes. Current evidence suggests that there is a need for further inpatient provider education on these modifications provided by the AAP to improve the continuity of care amongst pediatric patients. Methods: This DNP group project utilized a pre-and posttest survey to assess provider knowledge on the updated 15-and 30-month developmental milestones and their evaluation on the applicability of knowledge into practice within an inpatient setting. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the participants’ familiarity with the new 15-and 30-month developmental milestones and their applicability of assessing these milestones in practice. Average scores from the pre-and posttest surveys were collected and compared using a paired t-test. Results: A total of three participants completed the requirements of this DNP project which included viewing the pre-recorded PowerPoint and completing the pre/posttest surveys. The mean pretest score was 5.4/8 (67%) and mean posttest score was 7.3/8 (92%) with a p-value of 0.037. These results demonstrate a 25% increase in knowledge of developmental milestones. One provider (33%) ‘agreed’ and two providers (67%) ‘strongly agreed’ that they learned information from the intervention. Finally, one provider (33%) ‘agreed’ and two providers (67%) ‘strongly agreed’ that the presented information was applicable to their current practice. Conclusion: This short educational intervention showed a statistically significant increase in provider knowledge of updated 15- and 30-month milestones (p = 0.037). This finding was supported by 100% of providers reporting that they learned information from this intervention. Despite the small sample size, a statistical significance was found indicating the effectiveness of the intervention and assumes that there may be a much larger impact if this intervention can reach additional pediatric inpatient providers. Additionally, 100% of participants acknowledged that the information provided in the educational presentation was applicable to their current practice as an inpatient pediatric provider. This may indicate the important role of understanding pediatric development in managing disease in the hospital setting.