Table 2.
Recommendations to increase recruitment in pediatric pulmonology on the basis of qualitative themes aligned with the SCCT
| SCCT Category | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Contextual and environmental influences | • Ensure adequate exposure (e.g., dedicated pulmonary elective) during internship |
| • Broad exposure allowing trainees to weigh all aspects when making career decisions | |
| • Provide faculty development: teaching skills, advising, coaching, mentoring, and time management | |
| Learning experiences | • Hands-on exposure to bronchoscopy |
| • Apply respiratory physiology to patient care | |
| • Active involvement in ambulatory clinics | |
| • Expose to a variety of patients and clinical settings | |
| • Limit inpatient exposure during elective rotations | |
| • Identify interested trainees early in training, engage them in scholarly work, and support their attendance at national conferences | |
| Self-efficacy | • Tailor electives to individual resident’s goals |
| • Avoid shadowing; encourage active participation in patient care | |
| • Faculty should be active participants in residency curriculum (e.g., teach on inpatient rounds, attend morning report, and give regular lectures) | |
| Outcome expectations | • Expose fellows to research during their first year of training |
| • Discuss salary differences between specialties with residents | |
| • Faculty should meet with residents to dispel misconceptions about the field and explain the work–life balance of a pulmonologist | |
| • Explore different track options to align with career interests: | |
| • 2-yr clinical fellowship | |
| • 3-yr research fellowship | |
| • Sleep fellowship as third year of training |
Definition of abbreviation: SCCT = Social Cognitive Career Theory.