A Simulation Workshop for Pediatric Residents Using Team-Based Reflective Practice to Communicate Life-Altering News

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatrics
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Physicians require skills to guide patients and families through tragic events.
• Formal training opportunities for this crucial expertise during medical education are scarce.
• Effective communication of life-altering news is vital in pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a simulation and team-based reflection workshop on pediatric residents' confidence.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel educational intervention for delivering life-altering news.
• To determine the long-term utility of the training in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A 2.75-hour annual workshop involving 376 pediatric residents from 2011-2018.
• Residents were assigned to learning teams with faculty for simulated parent encounters.
• Team-based reflection was used for briefing and debriefing simulated scenarios.
• Retrospective pre-post self-report questionnaires and a one-year follow-up survey were administered.

Main Results:

• Participants reported the workshop was realistic, useful, and conducted in a safe learning environment.
• Residents demonstrated increased confidence in communicating various types of life-altering news.
• A one-year follow-up confirmed the training's utility in actual clinical practice.
• The workshop design was deemed an efficient use of resources.

Conclusions:

• A workshop integrating simulation and team-based reflection significantly enhances pediatric residents' confidence.
• This educational approach improves skills in delivering life-altering news to patients and families.
• The training is effective, practical, and resource-efficient for pediatric residency programs.