Background: The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is the national paediatric professional organization representing over 3000 child and youth health care providers. There are currently 847 resident members of the CPS (including subspecialty fellows) in 2016. Residents are valued members of the CPS, and their engagement in the organization is a priority of the CPS.
Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to identify:1. Resident knowledge of the CPS2. Resident needs from the CPS3. Further opportunities for engagement of residents within the CPS
Methods: A survey was developed by the principal authors (AR-L,RG-P,RS). The survey consisted of 23 questions with either closed-ended or free text responses. The survey was distributed, in English and French, via email link to 793 Canadian paediatric residents at every postgraduate training site in June 2016. All residents with an email address in the CPS membership database were included. Survey information was obtained through the use of an online electronic tool (Survey Monkey). All responses remained confidential, and were collated by the three authors (AR-L,RG-P,RS). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Results: The survey response rate was 132/793 (17%). The majority of respondents (80.3%) were female. There was good representation across the provinces and from all levels of postgraduate training. Nearly all (96.2%) self-identified as CPS members. A minority (18/116; 15.5%) were current or past CPS representatives. Three quarters of respondents (73/101) felt that the role of the CPS for residents was educational, followed by roles in providing networking (29.7%) and advocacy (27.7%) opportunities. CPS resources are frequently used by residents; all respondents used its statements and practice points. Half of residents (58/115) have attended the CPS Annual Conference during their residency. Many respondents (33/116; 28.4%) have submitted an abstract to the CPS Annual Conference, while a smaller number have applied for a CPS advocacy grant (8.6%) or a CPS elective grant (5.2%). Most respondents were aware of National Residents' Advocacy Week (71.6%) and the Residents' Section Facebook group (44%), but less were aware of the resources on starting a community practice (13.8%) and the national locum listings (32%). Residents want the CPS to provide more educational resources (49.1%), specifically in the area of preparation for the paediatrics licensing exam (22.0%), as well as to provide career counselling (22.0%) through provision of job postings, specialty projections, and mentorship. Half of responding residents would like to be more involved in the CPS.
Conclusion: Residents see the role of the CPS for residens as primarily educational, and CPS educational resources are well used by residents. Residents see the CPS assisting with their career decision-making by providing career counselling, job opportunities and a community for networking. A significant number of residents would like to be more involved in the CPS.
