Clinician teachers help move careers and the field forward

In Pediatric Neurology at Mass General for Children (MGfC), two providers – David Dredge, MD, and Danielle Pier, MD - are leading the next generation of fellows, residents and medical students, fostering their careers through evidence-based education. The role, which is unique to Pediatric Neurology, recognizes the importance of education in moving both the field and trainees’ careers forward.

 

In their roles as clinician teachers, Pier and Dredge teach trainees in Pediatric Neurology in both clinic and academic settings. Dredge and Pier present at many core educational and academic conferences at MGfC, including Grand Rounds and chief conferences. They also host quarterly meetings with trainees to discuss the latest topics in pediatric and neonatal neurology.

Teaching the next generation of fellows, residents and medical students to move the field of pediatric neurology forward is what drew Dredge and Pier to their roles.

“The education of fellows, residents and medical students is paramount to the forward progression of the field of the field,” said Pier. “It’s that component of fostering education that is behind moving careers forward.”

For Dredge, his role as clinician teacher is also the mark of a good-quality residency program. “MGfC and Massachusetts General Hospital are special in that there is always a core group of dedicated faculty who work with our trainees,” said Dredge, who has served as a clinician teacher since September 2016. “We need that next generation to provide the best care possible to our patients and their families.”

Pier, whose expertise is in neonatal and fetal neurology, is working with pediatric neurology residents to create evidence-based handouts on common pediatric neurological conditions. She also has plans in the works to develop smart sets in EPIC, the hospital’s electronic medical record system, to streamline pediatric lab, imaging, and medication orders and the delivery of patient care.

“A smart set is a list of orders grouped together for certain tests and diagnoses, all of which are evidence-based and designed to streamline patient care,” said Pier. “In creating the handouts and smart sets, our residents will conduct literature reviews to make sure the information is evidence-based, and in doing so, they can better understand why we make certain decisions and tell patients and families certain pieces of information. That way, families also have a tangible document to supplement what they learn from their providers.”

In addition to her role as a clinician teacher, Pier also cares for patients in Pediatric Neurology and serves on two committees – the Harvard Neonatal Protection Committee and the Neurological Outpatient Access Committee. Dredge also serves as director of resident education and cares for patients in Pediatric Neurology.