Luis Maldonado, MD, MPH, FAAPLuis Maldonado, MD, MPH, FAAP11; Cindy Morris; Cindy Morris22; Marybeth Palmigiano, MPH; Marybeth Palmigiano, MPH33; Lynn Ringenberg, MD, FAAP; Lynn Ringenberg, MD, FAAP11

University of South Florida Department of Pediatrics, Tampa, FLUniversity of South Florida Department of Pediatrics, Tampa, FL

Abstract

Despite a growing awareness in the public eye regarding environmental hazards, (lead poisoning from toys, mercury intoxication from fish, Salmonella poisoning from peanut butter just to name a few), today’s pediatric residents and community pediatricians report a lack of formal training in this field.

We will seek to quantify and qualify the instruction of environmental health in four Florida pediatric residency programs

We will assess the present fund of knowledge in pediatric residents regarding environmental health

We will advocate environmental health in the community pediatrician’s practice

Target Population Pediatric Residents, Program Residency Directors, residency

program educators and the community practitioners that participate in residency training

Project Description A survey will be sent to four pediatric residency programs in

the state of Florida to assess their respective time investment in environmental health education and whether these are presented within a structured environmental health and advocacy rotation

A 25-item questionnaire will be will be administered to the pediatric residents to evaluate their baseline fund of knowledge on environmental health issues

An AAP endorsed “Environmental Health Toolkit” will be demonstrated and provided to each resident and pediatrician to show patients ways of including environmental health anticipatory guidance in the well child check-up

A series of lectures on environmental health will be provided in person and electronically available to all pediatric residency programs and community pediatricians

The same 25-question survey will be administered at the end of the intervention series to assess if there is any significant difference in their fund of knowledge after participating in our program

Expected Outcomes

Encourage the incorporation of an environmental health specific curriculum in our pediatric residency programs

Increase the fund of knowledge of pediatric residents regarding environmental health

Increase the incorporation of environmental health in the community pediatrician’s practice

Promote understanding the links between environment and health to parents, caretakers, and their children

Conclusions

Environmental health is a topic that most pediatricians deal with on a daily basis, though not always comfortable with these discussions.

This project will highlight the lack of training on the links between environment and health and lack of available tools for patient education.

The “Environmental Health Toolkit” will be a powerful educational instrument for pediatricians and for families to understand and appreciate the connection between environment and health and embrace the changes necessary to minimize exposure.

The Toolkit will also provide the community pediatrician a way to familiarize themselves with these basic tenets and a mechanism by which they can easily and efficiently introduce these topics into the well child visit

Environmental Health Education in Florida Pediatric Residencies and Community Pediatricians



Survey

The 25 pre and post test questions involve the following topics:

Basic environmental epidemiological definitions Food borne illnesses Water pollutants Air pollutants Heavy metal exposures

Presentations

Using the Pediatric Environmental Toolkit Environmental history taking The unique susceptibilities of the pediatric population Case Studies on environmental exposures Lead poisoning Mercury poisoning Food contaminants Pesticides Air and Water pollutants

TAMPA BAY 1 USF College of Medicine2 Hillsborough County Health Department, Tampa, FL3 Physicians for Social Responsibility