ORL emergencies boot camp: using simulation to onboard residents.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Incoming otolaryngology residents often lack experience in managing critical emergencies like airway compromise and bleeding.
• Simulation-based education offers a safe environment for developing essential psychomotor skills and clinical judgment.
• There is a need for structured training to enhance resident preparedness for otolaryngology emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a Boot Camp on otolaryngology residents' confidence and perceived usefulness of training.
• To assess improvements in knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence, and clinical performance immediately and 6 months post-intervention.
• To determine if simulation-based training enhances preparedness for otolaryngology emergencies.

Main Methods:

• A 1-day Boot Camp incorporating technical skills stations (e.g., intubation, epistaxis control, cricothyroidotomy), telephone triage, and complex airway scenarios.
• Surveys administered to residents before, immediately after, and 6 months following the course to assess confidence and perceived usefulness.
• Statistical analysis, including Fisher's exact test, used to evaluate changes in confidence levels.

Main Results:

• Eighty-seven percent of residents identified emergency airway management as a concern prior to the course.
• A statistically significant improvement (P < .05) in confidence was observed for all skills assessed.
• The majority of participants found the Boot Camp highly useful for developing knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence, and improving clinical performance.

Conclusions:

• An intensive, simulation-based Boot Camp effectively enhanced junior otolaryngology residents' confidence in managing emergencies.
• The training was perceived as valuable for improving residents' knowledge, technical proficiency, self-assurance, and overall clinical performance.
• Simulation-based training is a successful strategy for preparing residents to handle critical otolaryngology scenarios.