High-risk scenario simulation useful for surgical residents

(HealthDay)—An interprofessional simulation of high-risk clinical scenarios is useful for surgical residents, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Surgery.

Grace A. Nicksa, M.D., from the San Francisco VA Medical Center, and colleagues used the SimMan 3GS to simulate high-risk clinical scenarios followed by debriefings with real-time feedback to educate surgical residents in leadership, teamwork, and effective communication during emergency surgical procedures. Surgical resident performance was assessed during the first and second half of the academic year. Participants' feedback was solicited in anonymous online surveys. Simulation of high-risk scenarios, including postoperative pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, and myocardial infarction, were conducted in the operating room, intensive care unit, emergency department, ward, and simulation center.

The researchers found that 89 percent of the residents found the sessions useful. Eighty-five and 78 percent, respectively, reported improved confidence during procedures and knowing when the procedure should be applied. Postgraduate year (PGY) 2 resident performance improved significantly during the study periods, with increases seen in communication, leadership, teamwork, and procedural ability scores. No significant improvements were seen in decision making or situation awareness scores for PGY2 residents, and there were no improvements in skills among PGY1 residents.

"Interprofessional simulation provides a valuable means of educating surgical residents and evaluating their skills in real-life clinical scenarios," the authors write.