Curriculum for Parenting Elective Rotation
Overview:
The parenting elective rotation is a 2-week experiential rotation that can be taken during the 2nd
or 3rd years of residency. The rotation will involve patient care in the Family Medicine Center,
experiential learning from direct care of a child or indirect exposure to parenting and child care,
independent study, and the preparation of a project/presentation.
Goals:
1) To obtain expertise in one area of study related to parenting, maternal health, and/or
infant development.
2) To become familiar with common needs of new parents (including social support,
healthcare, and childcare) and community resources available to address these needs.
3) To understand current medical guidelines that are relevant to new parents.
Objectives:
At the completion of this rotation, the resident will:
• Obtain in-depth understanding of a particular topic related to parenting, maternal health,
and/or infant development through independent study.
• Understand his/her role as a producer of research and/or educational materials.
• Understand the challenges faced by new parents and the role of the family physician in
supporting and guiding parents through these challenges.
• Identify local services in the community for parents/infants and be able to provide
appropriate referrals.
• Identify at least 3 reliable sources of information for parenting guidance and provide an
assessment of the importance and practical applicability of at least one specific guideline
of their choice.
- There are no specific procedural requirements for this rotation.
Implementation:
This is an experiential rotation supervised by the resident’s team leader. The resident interested
in this elective has the responsibility of contacting the supervisor prior to the start of the rotation.
At this time, matters such as topic of study and investigative procedures will be discussed. From
this discussion, the resident is expected to develop a written proposal which is then used as the
basis for the rotation’s work.
Each resident on this rotation will spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on rotational duties
(not including regularly scheduled clinic hours and noon conference), which will include the
following:
• Choose 10 of the articles listed on the following pages to read.
• Choose 2 of the following activities:
o Meet with a social worker (either hospital or clinic based) and discuss local
community resources available for parents.
o Meet with a lactation consultant (can be one-on-one or in a lactation support
group, in person or over the phone) and discuss breastfeeding challenges and
support methods.
o Meet with another parent (family member, friend, or patient) and informally
interview them about their experience with parenting an infant or child.
• Prepare a noon conference presentation on the approved topic of study. Create at least
one educational handout to accompany the presentation.
• Write a one-page reflection on parenting, including commentary on the challenges faced
by new parents. This can include information garnered from the required readings and/or
meetings, and should include a personal assessment of the importance and practical
applicability of at least one specific medical guideline relevant to new parents.
The resident will have two half-days of clinic per week at the Family Medicine Center during
this rotation. However, the resident will be considered ‘Away’ and will not be required to attend
noon conference on days when they are not in clinic. The resident should still attempt to attend
noon conference virtually, when practical, in order to benefit from this learning opportunity. The
resident will also not be required to care for continuity patients admitted to Memorial Hospital
during this rotation given the infrequency of the resident’s in-person clinical duties. The resident
will be responsible for notifying their team leader and the inpatient resident call services that the
resident will not be admitting or rounding on their continuity patients even on days when they
are scheduled to be in clinic. Vacation time is allowed for up to half of the rotation days.
Evaluation:
Upon completion of the rotation, the resident must complete and return the evaluation form
provided by the program. The supervisor will complete an evaluation form assessing the
resident’s success in meeting the rotation objectives as outlined in this curriculum. An end of
rotation meeting with the supervisor may be required to assure completion of rotation requirements.
Reading Materials:
Feeding/Nutrition:
• Westerfield KL, Koenig K, Oh R. Breastfeeding: Common Questions and Answers. Am
Fam Physician. 2018;98(6):368-376. Breastfeeding: Common Questions and Answers |
AAFP
• Spencer JP, Thomas S, Trondsen Pawlowski RH. Medication Safety in Breastfeeding.
Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(6):638-644. Medication Safety in Breastfeeding | AAFP
• Nguyen MD, Jonas C, Will J. Effect of Pacifier Use on Duration of Breastfeeding.
Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):311-312. Effect of Pacifier Use on Duration of
Breastfeeding | AAFP
• O’Connor N. Infant Formula. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(7):565-570. Infant Formula |
AAFP
• Casey CF, Slawson DC, Neal LR. Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants, Children, and
Adolescents. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(6):745-748. Vitamin D Supplementation in
Infants, Children, and Adolescents | AAFP
• DiMaggio DM, Cox A, Porto AF. Updates in Infant Nutrition. Pediatr Rev.
2017;38(10):449-462. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2016-0239
Elimination:
• Lauters RA. Enuresis in Children: Common Questions and Answers. Am Fam
Physician. 2022;106(5):549-556. Enuresis in Children: Common Questions and Answers
| AAFP
• Mulhelm E, Khondoker F, Kandiah S. Constipation in Children and Adolescents:
Evaluation and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2022;105(5):469-478. Constipation in
Children and Adolescents: Evaluation and Treatment | AAFP
• Howell DM, Wysocki K, Steiner MJ. Toilet Training. Pediatr Rev. 2010:31(6):262–263.
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.31-6-262
Sleep:
• Deshpande P, Salcedo B, Haq C. Common Sleep Disorders in Children. Am Fam
Physician. 2022;105(2):168-176. Common Sleep Disorders in Children | AAFP
• Darrow HJ, Carman KA, Wheeler V. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Common
Questions and Answers. Am Fam Physician. 2025;111(2):164-170. Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome: Common Questions and Answers | AAFP
• Wilson TA. Infant Sleep – Have You Slept Lately? Pediatr Rev. 2007:28(5):163.
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.28-5-163
Crying/Colic:
• Johnson JJ, Cocker K, Chang E. Infantile colic: Recognition and Treatment. Am Fam
Physician. 2015;92(7):577-582. Infantile Colic: Recognition and Treatment | AAFP
• Shaugnessy AF. A Specific Probiotic Decreases Crying in Infants Younger than Two
Months with Colic. Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(9):online. A Specific Probiotic
Decreases Crying in Infants Younger than Two Months with Colic | AAFP
• Garcia DS, Garcia KW. Pacifiers: Common Questions and Answers. Am Fam Physician.
2025;111(3):230-235. Pacifiers: Common Questions and Answers | AAFP
Development:
• Scharf RJ, Scharf GJ, Stroustrup A. Developmental Milestones. Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(1):
25–38. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2014-0103
• Patel R, McQueen E, Gold C. Balancing Digital Media Exposure: Enhancing Language
and Social Development in Early Childhood. Pediatr Rev. 2025;46(5):245–257.
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2024-006413
• Rupert J, Hughes P, Schoenherr D. Speech and Language Delay in Children.
Am Fam Physician. 2023;108(2):181-188. Speech and Language Delay in Children |
AAFP
• Koopman JJ, Fiore DC, Thiele K. Approach to Developmental Screening and
Surveillance in Young Children. Am Fam Physician. 2025;112(1):55-61 Approach to
Developmental Screening and Surveillance in Young Children | AAFP
• Kim AR, Kim KP, Covey CJ. Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. Am Fam Physician.
2025;112(5):546-552. Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip | AAFP
Child Safety:
• Sander JE, Mogilner L. Child Safety and Injury Prevention. Pediatr Rev.
2015;36(6):268–269. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.36-6-268
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
• Mcgregor T, Parkar M, Rao S. Evaluation and Management of Common Childhood
Poisonings. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(5):397-403. Evaluation and Management of
Common Childhood Poisonings | AAFP
• Mott TF, Latimer KM. Prevention and Treatment of Drowning. Am Fam Physician.
2016;93(7):576-582. Prevention and Treatment of Drowning | AAFP
Dental Care:
• Martof A. Consultation with the Specialist: Dental Care. Pediatr Rev. 2001;22(1):13–15.
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.22-1-13
• Cunicelli M. Reducing Early Childhood Caries Through Caregiver-Targeted
Interventions. Am Fam Physician. 2025;112(5):486. Reducing Early Childhood Caries
Through Caregiver-Targeted Interventions | AAFP
Immunizations:
• Irwin GM. Update on Routine Immunizations for Children and Adolescents. Am Fam
Physician. 2025;111(5):419-426. Update on Routine Immunizations for Children and
Adolescents | AAFP
• Spencer JP, Trondsen Pawlowski RH, Thomas S. Vaccine Adverse Events: Separating
Myth and Reality. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(12):786-794. Vaccine Adverse Events:
Separating Myth from Reality | AAFP
• Wiley CC. Immunizations: Vaccinations in General. Pediatr Rev. 2015;36(6):249–259.
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.36-6-249
Newborn Care:
• Lewis ML. A Comprehensive Newborn Examination: Part I. Am Fam
Physician. 2014;90(5):289-296. A Comprehensive Newborn Examination: Part I.
General, Head and Neck, Cardiopulmonary | AAFP
• Lewis ML. A Comprehensive Newborn Examination: Part II. Am
Fam Physician. 2014;90(5):297-302. A Comprehensive Newborn Examination: Part II.
Skin, Trunk, Extremities, Neurologic | AAFP
• Snyder KAM, Voelcker AD. Newborn Skin: Part I. Common Rashes and Skin Changes.
Am Fam Physician. 2024;109(3):212-216. Newborn Skin: Part I. Common Rashes and
Skin Changes | AAFP
• Snyder KAM, Voelcker AD. Newborn Skin: Part II. Birthmarks. Am Fam Physician.
2024;109(3):217-221. Newborn Skin: Part II. Birthmarks | AAFP
• Langan RC. Discharge Procedures for Healthy Newborns. Am Fam Physician.
2006;73(5):849-852. Discharge Procedures for Healthy Newborns | AAFP
• Bybel M, Delaney CA, Coble K. Outpatient Care of the Premature Infant. Am Fam
Physician. 2025;112(2):153-161. Outpatient Care of the Premature Infant | AAFP
• Egge JA, Anderson RH, Schimelpfenig MD. Care of the Well Newborn. Pediatr Rev.
2022;43(12):676–690. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2022-005511
General Parenting:
• Bryce C, Liddell T, Gideon G. Early Childhood Concerns: Counseling on Sleep Issues,
Thumb-Sucking, Picky Eating, School Readiness, and Oral Health. Am Fam Physician.
2025;111(1):31-36. Early Childhood Concerns: Counseling on Sleep Issues, ThumbSucking, Picky Eating, School Readiness, and Oral Health | AAFP
• Kavan MG, Saxena SK, Rafiq N. General Parenting Strategies: Practical Suggestions for
Common Child Behavior Issues. Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(10):642-648. General
Parenting Strategies: Practical Suggestions for Common Child Behavior Issues | AAFP
Perinatal Depression:
• Justesen K, Jourdaine D. Peripartum Depression: Detection and Treatment. Am Fam
Physician. 2023;108(3):267-272. Peripartum Depression: Detection and Treatment |AAFP
• Chavis AT. Paternal Perinatal Depression in Modern-Day Fatherhood. Pediatr Rev.
2022;43(10):539–548. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2021-005488
Research Rotation Evaluation
Resident Name:
Dates of Rotation:
Topic of Study:
- Evaluation (If any questions answered “NO”, please explain in narrative section):
Did the resident spend 20 hours weekly on rotation duties (not including clinic and noon
conference)?- Yes No
- Did the resident obtain in-depth understanding of a particular topic related to parenting, maternal
health, and/or infant development?- Yes No
- Does the resident understand his/her role as a producer of research and/or educational materials?
- Yes No
- Does the resident understand the challenges faced by new parents and the role of the family
physician in supporting and guiding parents through these challenges?- Yes No
- Can the resident identify local services in the community for parents/infants and provide
appropriate referrals?- Yes No
- Can the resident identify at least 3 reliable sources of information regarding guidance for new
parents and provide an assessment of the importance and practical applicability of at least one
specific guideline?- Yes No
- Date Noon Conference Completed:
- ___________________
- Did the resident successfully complete all of the requirements of the rotation?
- Yes No
Please give a brief summary of the topic of study and the evaluation process:
Supervisor Name:
Supervisor Signature: