MedEdPORTAL (Jun 2015)
A Simulation-Based Emergency Medicine PGY-1 Resident Orientation Curriculum
Abstract
Abstract Introduction This simulation-based curriculum educates emergency medicine PGY-1 residents prior to their clinical duties in order to improve clinical performance and enhance their ability to care for patients safely. An emphasis on patient safety and simulation training at our residency led to the development of the curriculum. Residency leadership and simulation faculty joined together to develop a curriculum encompassing basic knowledge and procedural skills that were thought to be high yield prior to the residents' clinical training. The intent is to introduce concepts and skills that can be built on during the remainder of the emergency medicine residency. Methods The curriculum consists of five separate simulation sessions. It contains educational materials designed to introduce learners to simulation as an educational modality and then review important concepts in airway management, central line placement, stroke management, and emergency resuscitation. Each session is 4 hours long, is ideally led by two to four emergency medicine instructors, and consists of a combination of case-based simulation and debriefing sessions. The sessions are guided by specific objectives based on the American College of Graduate Medical Education Emergency Medicine Level 1 Milestones. For the last 3 years, residents have participated in this curriculum. Results A pre− and postsession content test and self-efficacy survey were also completed for each session. Some sessions had content-based multiple-choice questions. The curriculum has been well received by the residents over the past 3 years, and they have provided positive feedback each year, as well as statistically significant improvement in confidence and knowledge after completing the course. Specifically, skills tests on central lines administered months after that specific module showed proficiency at placement of central lines by the residents. Postsession simulation testing of the residents showed that by the end of the stroke session, they were more confident in diagnosing stroke and ordered CT scans and tissue plasminogen activator faster in those situations with statistically significant data. Discussion Overall, this course has been very effective at providing a safe, effective, initial learning environment to educate interns prior to their clinical duties.
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