Pediatric residents buckle up: A child safety seat training program for pediatric residents

Objectives.-To assess the effectiveness of supervised installation of child safety seats (CSSs) as a teaching tool for pediatric residents and to evaluate acceptance of this hands-on learning experience. Methods.-Pediatric residents were divided into an intervention group and a control group. All residents completed an initial questionnaire regarding knowledge about CSS use. The intervention group listened to a CSS lecture, viewed a video, and installed CSSs under the supervision of certified CSS technicians. The control group received no intervention, A second questionnaire was administered to all residents. We compared the knowledge gained since the initial questionnaire. The intervention group answered questions regarding their acceptance of this learning experience. Results.-Sixty-one residents participated in the study. Most residents had never installed a CSS and felt uncomfortable with their CSS knowledge. The percentage of the intervention group that received a passing score for knowledge increased from 3% initially to 97% on the posttest (P < .001). There was no change in the passing rate of the control group. The intervention group rated the CSS installation session as extremely helpful. Conclusion.-A hands-on educational program can be an effective, well-accepted method for increasing pediatric residents' knowledge about CSS use.