Developing a Trainee Advisory Committee Within a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Research Network

Medical research networks are essential for advancing clinical care. Despite the recognized importance of building research capacity and training future pediatric researchers, trainee engagement within these research networks remains inconsistent. To address this, the Paediatric Inpatient Research Network (PIRN) established the Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) in 2022 to foster trainee participation in pediatric hospital medicine research. This article describes the development, implementation, and early outcomes of the TAC, highlighting key successes and challenges. In its first 2 years, the TAC focused on increasing trainee engagement and facilitating cross-center, trainee-led research. A national survey on pediatric residency research experiences informed TAC priorities and led to a peer-reviewed publication. The TAC expanded in its second year, introducing structured subcommittees and defined leadership roles to enhance productivity and sustainability. These efforts increased membership, annual meeting attendance, and abstract submissions by trainees. Challenges included defining the TAC's scope, distributing roles, and managing turnover caused by short trainee tenures. Future goals include increasing trainee involvement in PIRN-led research and developing a mentorship program. The PIRN TAC provides a model for integrating trainees into research networks and strengthening the pipeline of future pediatric researchers. By sharing our experience, we offer a framework for other subspecialty research networks seeking to enhance trainee engagement.