288 - The Landscape of Primary Care Training in Pediatric Residency: A Website Content Analysis

Publication Number: 1274.288

Julieana Nichols, Baylor College of Medicine, Bellaire, TX, United States; Gabrielle Pina, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Riverside, CA, United States; Rachael Zweigoron, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Michael Petrus-Jones, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Jeannie Y. Chang Pitter, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States

Background: As medical student applications to pediatric residencies continue to decline, concerns about pediatric workforce shortages have grown. Despite the essential role of pediatric primary care, standardized training expectations remain limited. Many residency programs have created initiatives—such as primary care tracks, certificates, and specialized residencies—to strengthen training and attract trainees interested in primary care.

Objective: This study examined how U.S. pediatric residency programs present information about primary care training on their websites and identified overarching content themes in program descriptions.

Design/Methods: Pediatric residency programs with designated primary care tracks were identified through the FREIDA database. Programs with explicit online references to “primary care” (n = 36 of 112) were reviewed in full. Website content was analyzed using qualitative content analysis, with themes refined through consensus.

Results: Of the 112 pediatric residency programs with a listed primary care track on the AMA FREIDA search engine, 38 programs (34%) included website content explicitly referencing “primary care.” Of these, ten have separate NRMP match numbers (Figure 1).Five major themes were identified: longitudinal experiences, outpatient emphasis, autonomy, individualized curriculum, and commitment to underserved populations.

Conclusion(s): No curricular framework exists for pediatric primary care training. Pediatric primary care tracks emphasize outpatient-focused, community-oriented training but vary widely in visibility and detail online. Inconsistent presentation may limit applicants’ ability to make informed choices. Greater standardization and clearer communication about content areas and educational standards could improve recruitment and support the preparation of future pediatric primary care providers.

Figure 1: Total Identified Primary Care Tracks and Programs
Primary Care Landscape.Figure1.pdf