Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Training is adolescent health and transition is lacking in medical education. Clinicians working in diabetes and endocrinology across paediatric and adult services need to have the skills to work effectively with this age group. Our aim was to identify the current state of training and to ascertain training needs in trainees.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed based on existing questionnaires. Using trainee representatives all paediatric and adult trainees in diabetes and endocrinology were emailed a link to the online questionnaire.

Results: Of the 85 responses, 51 were from adult trainees and 34 were from paediatric trainees (nine grid). All grades were represented and all parts of the UK. Around 60% of all trainees felt their training in and clinic exposure to adolescent health and transition was minimal or non existent. This was more marked within endocrinology (74%) than in diabetes (39%). Barriers to providing developmentally appropriate care included lack of clinic time (73%) and lack of training (70%). Training needs in adolescent health and transition were higher in endocrinology (91%) than in diabetes (76%). In excess of 50% had received training on growth and puberty and diabetes. Training was at <25% in a number of areas including benefit entitlement, independent living, vocational and educational and psychosocial issues. The highest training needs, with more than 50% rating their needs four or five (out of five), were identified in available resources, interagency working, endocrinology, and transition. More paediatric trainees had received training than adult trainees in the majority of areas. Despite this paediatric trainees rated their needs as higher than adult trainees.

Conclusion: This questionnaire has highlighted the need to improve training in adolescent health and transition for paediatric and adult trainees in diabetes and endocrinology. Paediatric trainees receive more training and have a higher awareness of a need for training.