• David M Jaffe, Jane F Knapp, and Donna B Jeffe.
• Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine/St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, MO, USA. jaffe@kids.wustl.edu
• Pediatr Emerg Care. 2008 Apr 1;24(4):255-61.

ObjectiveEvaluate the effectiveness of the 2005 National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows' Conference in achieving predefined objectives in scholarship, leadership, and partnership.MethodsPreconference and postconference questionnaires measured knowledge, research-related confidence, beliefs about institutional support for emergency medical services for children (EMSC) research, and intentions to engage in 7 specific behaviors relating to scholarship, leadership, and partnership. Bivariate correlations among the variables were assessed. Repeated-measures analysis of variance measured change between preconference and postconference measures. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models identified predictors of postconference intentions to engage in each of the 7 specific behaviors controlling for preconference intentions.ResultsNinety-two pediatric emergency medicine fellows attended; more than 90% completed preconference and postconference questionnaires, and 88% completed both. Knowledge (P < 0.001) and confidence (P < 0.001) improved after the conference. Increases were observed in fellows' intentions to establish national mentoring relationships (P < 0.001), continue in EMSC research (P = 0.003), and participate in national collaborations (P = 0.022). Confidence and subjective norms correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with each of the behavioral intentions in bivariate tests. In the multivariable regression models, confidence correlated with 4 behavioral intentions (P < 0.02), and subjective norms correlated with one (P < 0.001). Forty-eight percent established a mentoring relationship with a faculty member; 25% planned to collaborate on research with other attendees.ConclusionsThe 2005 National Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows' Conference resulted in positive, measurable outcomes relating to the professional development of attendees, including increased conference-specific knowledge, confidence, and intentions to continue in EMSC research, join national collaborative research networks, and establish national mentoring relationships.

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