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Kidney Week

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Abstract: PO1389

The Skeleton Key Group: The Impact of Fellow-Led Education

Session Information

Category: Educational Research

  • 800 Educational Research

Authors

  • Yau, Amy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
  • Topf, Joel M., Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, United States
  • Norouzi, Sayna, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
Background

The Skeleton Key Group (SKG) is an online collective of trainees working to generate free, open-access medical education focusing on the pathophysiology, presentation, and management electrolyte disorders. The final product is a monthly case report published at Renal Fellow Network. Trainee created and edited visual abstracts, tweetorials, and Twitter polls supplement the report. All content is reviewed by senior fellows and an experienced attending nephrologist.

Methods

The SKG formed in September 2019, and group members were continually added. An anonymous survey was sent to the 32 members from May 3-20, 2020. Data here was censored May 2020.

Results

Response rate was 62.5% (n=20). 65% were nephrology fellows with 3 independently practicing nephrologists and 4 residents. The impact of involvement in the SKG on members’ medical education was positive (Fig 1). 85% of respondents felt the experience improved their medical knowledge, and 70-80% noted improved manuscript construction (Fig 1). Secondarily, 50-55% noted improved ability to edit, review, and write a peer reviewed publication. Over 75% of respondents stated an improved ability to educate and mentor trainees and increased desire to continue/pursue nephrology training.

Surveyees’ primary goal was to learn (90%, Fig 2). 60% met all and 30% met some of their goals. Among low-engagement members (n=10), defined as < 25% involvement, a busy work/life schedule was the largest barrier, yet still 50% met some and 30% met all of their goals.

Conclusion

Members felt participation in the SKG added to their medical education regarding knowledge and manuscript construction. Involvement provides the skills needed to continue scholarly activities, and it may help familiarize and motivate trainees to pursue nephrology and subspecialty nephrology training. Even low level involvement in our educational fellow led forum enhanced the education of future nephrologists.

Fig 1. Impact of Involvement in the SKG on Medical Education

Fig 2. Goals of Members