Third-Year Emergency Medicine Multiple-Patient Simulation

• Published in: MedEdPORTAL Vol. 10
• Main Authors: Turner, Joseph, Wilbur, Lee, Kirschner, Jonathan, Knopp, Jessica, Rodgers, Kevin, Cooper, Dylan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association of American Medical Colleges 25.11.2014
• Subjects: Emergency Medicine (MeSH); Multitasking; Resident; Simulation
• ISSN: 2374-8265; 2374-8265
• DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9948

Abstract Introduction This resource contains two multiple-patient simulation scenarios intended for upper-level emergency medicine (EM) residents approaching graduation. They are constructed to more realistically simulate real-life practice compared to traditional simulation scenarios by forcing the resident to manage multiple complex patients simultaneously amidst distractions. Methods Each scenario in this resource includes three individual cases/patients that the EM resident must manage simultaneously. Scenario A consist of simultaneous cases involving a trauma transfer, snakebite injury, and delivery of shoulder dystocia. Scenario B consists of patients suffering from slipped capital femoral epiphysis, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction/ventricular tachycardia, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The intent is for residents to participate in these scenarios approximately 4 months prior to graduation, allowing them to identify skill gaps that they can correct prior to moving on to independent practice. Specific educational objectives for the scenarios are included in the simulation template. Results These scenarios were piloted for four residents in March 2012. In March 2013 and March 2014 the scenarios were opened for the entire graduating classes. A total of 43 upper-level EM and EM-pediatric residents have now participated in the scenarios. After each session the residents, faculty trainers, and nurses were surveyed about the quality of the sessions with overwhelmingly positive results. The vast majority of participants, 97.6%, agreed that the sessions are a good learning tool for residents. Likewise, 95.6% agreed they are a good evaluation tool for residents. Most respondents felt the multiple-patient simulation program should be continued and that additional sessions should be added to the resident curriculum. Discussion This resource successfully provides upper-level EM residents effective training in managing multiple complex patients simultaneously. Although the scenarios require significant resources and a large simulation center to implement, those involved and surveyed shared that the experience was positive.