Training to Transition: Using Simulation-Based Training to Improve Resident Physician Confidence in Hospital...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Hospital discharge is complex and prone to errors, impacting patient safety.
• Improving post-acute care transitions is a national healthcare priority.
• Simulation-based training is an underutilized educational tool for resident transitions of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a simulation-based education intervention for graduate medical education.
• To enhance discharge practices and communication during patient transitions.
• To assess the impact of simulation on resident confidence and attitudes.

Main Methods:

• 36 PGY-1 residents participated in a discharge simulation with a simulated participant and caregiver.
• Residents navigated the electronic medical record (EMR) for discharge orders.
• Pretest and posttest surveys evaluated resident confidence and attitudes.

Main Results:

• All 36 residents completed the simulation and pretest survey; 23 completed the postsurvey.
• 92% of residents agreed simulation increased their confidence in safe patient discharge (p < .05).

Conclusions:

• Simulation encounters are an effective adjunct to post-acute care transition education.
• Simulation-based training can improve resident preparedness for hospital discharge.
• This intervention shows promise for enhancing graduate medical education in patient transitions.