Preparedness of Residents to Manage Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A National Survey

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is reported to be the most common chronic pediatric liver disease. Little information is available on the adherence of residents in-training to the published guidelines for the evaluation and management of pediatric NAFLD. The goals of this study are as follows: (i) to assess the consistency of screening and evaluation for NAFLD in obese and overweight children at continuity clinics by upper level residents, and (ii) to determine the residents’ extent of training, knowledge, comfort, and competence levels in NAFLD care. METHODS: An electronic survey developed using REDCap was emailed to accredited Pediatric Residency Programs in the United States. Program directors and coordinators were requested to forward the survey to their upper level pediatric and medicine/pediatrics residents. Statistical analysis of responses (n = 399) was performed. RESULTS: More than 88% of residents reported to be exposed to obese and overweight children, representing at least 25% of the patients encountered in clinics. Regardless of their training level, they inconsistently screened for (>60%), initiated evaluation of, or provided counseling on NAFLD in these patients, not following the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines. Over 80% of residents perceived to have received inadequate training resulting in insufficient knowledge on NAFLD, which they identified as their biggest barrier (25.7%). There was minimal statistically significant difference in the survey findings between training levels (PGY-2 vs PGY-3/4). CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions should be implemented by pediatric residency programs to enhance educational core curricula for the early detection and initiation of management of NAFLD, an emerging public health problem.