Illinois Training Boosts Pediatric Resident Communication

New resident training on medical devices helps doctors communicate more effectively with families of hospitalized children.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Children’s Health

Illinois Training Boosts Pediatric Resident Communication

Live Poll

Should medical training prioritize physician communication skills alongside hands-on technical equipment instruction?

Pediatric residents in Illinois are improving communication with families through a new medical device training program. The initiative recently helped residents better manage complex equipment like central lines and feeding devices, resulting in higher satisfaction scores from caregivers.

Why it matters

Residents often report feeling underprepared to support children with complex medical needs. This training addresses that gap, potentially improving the hospital experience for families managing chronic conditions.

This study evaluated 28 first-year pediatric residents against a historical cohort of 11 through 253 caregiver surveys. The findings indicate a small but measurable increase in communication scores regarding medical device management.

The players

Advocate Children's Hospital

A pediatric health system in Illinois that served as the primary site for this medical device training study.

The details

The curriculum consists of five in-person, one-hour workshops focusing on the care of central lines, chest tubes, feeding devices, tracheostomies, and cerebrospinal fluid shunts. Sessions were conducted in small groups of no more than 10 residents, led by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and advanced practice clinicians to ensure hands-on guidance.

October 22, 2026: The study results were published.
January 2027: The study is scheduled to appear in Hospital Pediatrics.

Health Landscape

Medical education is increasingly moving toward targeted, multidisciplinary training to better prepare clinicians for the management of pediatric patients with complex technology. This approach reflects a broader trend of integrating patient-communication metrics into clinical skill assessments.

Families with children who use medical devices at home may find it helpful to ask their child's healthcare team about the specific training residents receive in managing these tools. If you have concerns about your child's care, discussing your communication preferences with the attending physician is always a proactive step.

The takeaway

Targeted communication and device training can bridge the experience gap for new pediatric residents. Families should feel empowered to ask their care team questions about device safety and troubleshooting to ensure they feel confident managing equipment at home.