The Preparing Residents for International Medical Experiences (PRIME) Simulation Workshop: Equipping Surgery and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Global Health
• Simulation Training

Background:

• Global health training is in high demand for medical residents, expanding clinical and sociocultural expertise.
• Evidence-based courses for international rotations are limited, creating a need for structured preparation.
• Developing competence for diverse clinical scenarios in low-resource settings is essential for effective global health practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess a simulation-based workshop, Preparing Residents for International Medical Experiences (PRIME).
• To improve graduate medical trainees' self-assessed competence for clinical scenarios encountered during international rotations.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation combined with small-group discussions for pre-travel preparation.

Main Methods:

• High-fidelity simulation scenarios were designed for anesthesiology, surgery, and OB/GYN trainees, including mass casualty, septic patient management without ICU, and pre-eclampsia in a non-English speaking patient.
• Simulation sessions were paired with small-group discussions focusing on sociobehavioral factors, stress management, and teaching skills.
• Anesthesiology trainees' self-assessed competence was measured before and after the workshop using a 1-5 scale.

Main Results:

• The workshop, delivered in two iterations with 23 learners, received positive feedback, with 93% agreeing it met objectives.
• Self-assessed competence scores increased across all areas for anesthesiology trainees after the workshop.
• A mean competency increase of 0.3 (95% CI, 0.2-0.5) was observed, indicating enhanced confidence in providing clinical care with varying levels of supervision.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based training is an effective method for enhancing medical residents' preparedness for international health experiences.
• Pre-travel workshops incorporating simulation can significantly improve self-assessed competence in managing clinical challenges in resource-limited environments.
• This approach addresses critical needs in global health education, equipping trainees with practical skills and confidence for diverse international settings.