Incorporating Retrieval Practice Into Intensive Care Unit Teaching Rounds: A Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Cognitive Science in Learning
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Medicine

Background:

• Teaching rounds are crucial for resident education in the intensive care unit (ICU).
• Retrieval practice, a cognitive tool, aids information consolidation and may enhance teaching quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating retrieval practice into medical intensive care unit (MICU) rounds.
• To evaluate the impact of retrieval practice on the perceived educational value of ICU rounds.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility study conducted from October 2018 to June 2019.
• Internal medicine and family medicine residents, fellows, and faculty participated in 1-week intervention periods.
• Participants used retrieval practice post-rounds, sharing one learning point, and were surveyed on feasibility, acceptability, and educational value.

Main Results:

• Ninety MICU teams, comprising 31 residents, 8 fellows, and 8 attendings, were involved.
• Retrieval practice did not adversely affect workflow for 86% of respondents.
• Perception of teaching as a priority on rounds increased significantly (P = .047).

Conclusions:

• Integrating retrieval practice into MICU rounds is feasible and acceptable for medical trainees and faculty.
• The strategy was associated with an increased perception of teaching as a priority during ICU rounds.