Evaluating the impact of PeDRA’s educational initiatives in pediatric dermatology

Summary: Abstract Body: The Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) has spearheaded efforts to address the shortage of pediatric dermatologists by offering diverse educational resources for medical professionals across various career stages. This study evaluates the scope and impact of PeDRA’s educational initiatives. Since 2020, PeDRA has introduced 213 educational programs, drawing 65,658 online views and 23,666 podcast listens. These initiatives were categorized into research (144 [68%]), community (67 [31%]), and mentorship (2 [1%]) topics. Key formats included 59 webinars, 58 Getting to Know You/Your Research episodes, 33 Points of Discussion podcasts, 16 series-based podcasts, 14 patient-focused podcasts, 11 conference podcasts, 10 Pub Club episodes, and 7 industry-focused podcasts. Among these, series addressing complex dermatologic topics, such as Emerging Mechanisms of Action in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Emerging Therapies for Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis, garnered the highest engagement, with a median of 289(IQR 131–310) listens per episode. Similarly, PeDRA’s Points of Discussion podcast, which focuses on trending and controversial topics in pediatric dermatology, recorded a median of 186(IQR 97-243) listens per episode. Furthermore, the topics of the episodes were classified under Focused Study Groups(FSGs). The Atopic Dermatitis & Psoriasis FSG had the highest proportion of topics (24% of episodes), followed by Genetics (17%), Acne & Hidradenitis Suppurativa (16%), and Birthmarks (14%). However, Skin of Color & Pigmentary Disorders accounted for only 1% of FSG-relevant episodes, highlighting a need to expand content in this area. To further PeDRA’s mission, future initiatives should continue prioritizing educational approaches that respond to audience preferences, broaden content diversity, and address gaps in representation, particularly in Skin of Color educational programming. Leveraging data-driven approaches will enable PeDRA to strengthen its impact, promote inclusivity, and drive innovation in pediatric dermatology education.