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Research Snapshot Theater: Professional Development and Education, Pediatric III

A Beginner Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Boot Camp Curriculum for Multidisciplinary Fellows

Monday, March 23, 2026

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Central Time

Location: Connections Central - RST 15

Adam Fernandez, N/A

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.
XC

Xiaofei Chi, n/a

Data Management Analyst
University of Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.
MA

Mohammad Al-Mousily, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.
JP

Joseph Philip, MD

Associate Professor and Medical Director of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
UF Health Shands Childrens Hospital

Disclosure information not submitted.
TD

Tavenner Dibert, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.
CG

Cynthia Garvan, PhD

Professor, Director of Statistics
University of Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.
WW

Wei Wang, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Pediatric critical care fellowship "boot camps" are established in their role as both a preparatory and review curriculum for fellows nationwide. Our objective was to develop a standardized pediatric cardiac critical care specific boot camp with the goal of improving self-rated confidence in core cardiac critical care related principles and skills pertinent to all subspecialty fellows rotating in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU).

Methods: All pediatric critical care, cardiology and neonatology fellows at our institution participated in 2 years of the curriculum consisting of 2 half days of didactic lectures, skill sessions, and simulations. Our curriculum was modeled after the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society advanced boot camp with modification of sessions appropriate for beginner level trainees. Trainees were surveyed before and after each day of the curriculum on their comfort level with core PCICU skills and objectives. Survey questions consisted of a Likert-type scale and free responses. Data was analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxan Rank-sum tests. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: On year 1, a total of 16 and 12 fellows participated on day 1 and 2 of the curriculum, respectively. On year 2, a total of 14 fellows (7 first time, 7 return) participated on day 1, and 10 fellows (5 first time, 5 return) on day 2 of the curriculum. Pre-intervention, 13 out of 16 objectives received median self-perceived confidence scores 3 or below for 1st time participants. Neonatology and PGY-4 trainees had the lowest self-perceived confidence scores prior to their first boot camp session. Second time participants had significantly higher confidence scores in the following skills and objectives: care of the post operative patient and operating an epicardial pacemaker prior to the start of the year 2 bootcamp sessions. Out of all the participants, there was an overall increase in confidence scores immediately post intervention. PGY-4 trainees had the highest gain in confidence scores in the following objectives: post operative care and formulating basic calculations from a catheterization report.

Conclusions: Our boot camp curriculum was effective in increasing overall fellow confidence in core pediatric cardiac critical care objectives and skills.