Simulation-Based Course Improves Resident Comfort, Knowledge, and Ability to Manage Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients

Noah Weingarten*, Alexandria Byskosh, Benjamin Stocker, Hannah Weiss, Howard Lee, Michael Masteller, Alex Johnston, Giang Quach, Courtney L. Devin, Nabil Issa, Joseph Posluszny

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Simulation-based education can augment residents' skills and knowledge. We assessed the effectiveness of a simulation-based course for surgery interns designed to improve their comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage common surgical critical care (SCC) conditions. Materials and methods: For 2 y, all first year residents (n = 31) in general surgery, urology, interventional radiology, and the integrated plastics, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgery training programs at our institution participated in a simulation-based course emphasizing evidence-based management of SCC conditions. Precourse and postcourse surveys and multiple-choice tests, as well as summative simulation tests, assessed interns' comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage SCC conditions. Changes in these measures were assessed with Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests. Factors associated with summative performance were determined by linear regression. Results: The course consisted of four simulation-based teaching sessions in year 1 and six in year 2. The course taught seven of the 18 core SCC conditions in the Surgical Council on Resident Education general surgery curriculum in year 1 and 10 in year 2. Interns' self-reported comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage each condition taught in the course increased (P < 0.02). Their knowledge of each condition, as assessed by written tests, also increased (P < 0.02). Their summative simulation test performance correlated with the number of course sessions attended (P < 0.03) and status as general surgery residents (P < 0.01). Conclusions: A simulation-based SCC training course for surgery interns that emphasizes evidence-based management of SCC conditions improves interns' comfort, knowledge, and ability to manage these conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)355-363
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume256
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Funding

The authors thank the study participants for their active engagement in completing surveys and both written and simulation tests. The authors also thank the Northwestern University Simulation Center for providing access to their simulation laboratory and assistance in using its technologies. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Author contributions: N.W. contributed to study design, data entry, data analysis, manuscript drafting, and editing. A.B. contributed to data entry, data analysis, manuscript review, and editing, B.S. and H.W. contributed to data analysis, manuscript review, and editing, H.L. M.M. A.J. G.Q. C.L.D. and N.I. contributed to study design, manuscript review, and editing. J.P. contributed to study design, data collection, manuscript review, and editing.

Keywords

  • Curriculum
  • Education
  • SCORE
  • SICU
  • Simulation
  • Surgical training

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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