Neurology Education for Critical Care Fellows Using High-Fidelity Simulation

• Published in: Neurocritical care Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 96 - 102
• Main Authors: Braksick, Sherri A., Kashani, Kianoush, Hocker, Sara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Brain death; Clinical Competence; Convulsions & seizures; Critical care; Critical Care - methods; Critical Care Medicine; Curricula; Diagnostic tests; Fellowships and Scholarships; Humans; Intensive; Internal Medicine; Internship and Residency - methods; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neurology - education; Original Article; Patients; Respiration; Respiratory failure; Simulation; Simulation Training - methods; Ventilators; Vital signs; Medical education; Critical care; Neurology; Neurologic emergency; Simulation
• ISSN: 1541-6933; 1556-0961
• DOI: 10.1007/s12028-016-0293-3

Background Simulation is becoming a more common modality in medical education. The data regarding effectiveness of simulation in critical care neurology education are limited. Methods We administered a three-scenario simulation course to critical care fellowship trainees at a large academic medical center as a part of their core curriculum requirement. Pre- and posttests assessing medical knowledge and trainee confidence in managing neurologic disease were completed by all trainees. Overall satisfaction and effectiveness were evaluated following the course. Change in trainee knowledge and confidence before and after the course was assessed for improvement. Results Sixteen trainees completed the simulation course. Prior to completion, medical knowledge was 5.2 ± 0.9 (of 8 possible correct answers) and following the course was 6.4 ± 1.3 ( p  = 0.002). Overall confidence improved from 15.4 ± 4.9 (of 30 possible points) to 20.7 ± 3.3 ( p  = <0.0001). Confidence was significantly improved for neurologic diseases directly assessed during the course ( p  = <0.0001) as well as for those not directly assessed ( p  = 0.004). Conclusions Simulation is an effective means of neurologic education for critical care trainees, with improvement in both medical knowledge and trainee confidence after completion of a three-scenario simulation experience. This course ensures the exposure of critical care trainees to neurologic diseases that are required curricular milestones to successfully complete the fellowship training program.