Simulation-based workshop for emergency preparedness in otolaryngology.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS)

Background:

• Junior Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) residents require robust training in managing emergent situations.
• Current residency curricula may not fully address the complexities of otolaryngologic emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a hands-on simulation-based course on junior OHNS residents' preparedness.
• To assess changes in resident anxiety and confidence in managing specific OHNS emergencies.

Main Methods:

• A simulation workshop was conducted for junior OHNS residents, featuring stations on airway management, ultrasound, hematoma evacuation, and fracture repair.
• Participants completed pre-workshop, post-workshop, and 2-month follow-up surveys assessing anxiety and confidence using a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Pre-workshop surveys indicated high anxiety and low confidence in technical skills, particularly for foreign body retrieval and airway management.
• Post-workshop, significant reductions in anxiety and increases in confidence were observed, especially in manual skills for foreign body retrieval and airway management (p < .01).
• The epistaxis station showed a trend of decreasing confidence and increasing anxiety post-workshop.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-centered training effectively enhances junior residents' preparedness for critical otolaryngologic emergencies.
• This approach improves resident confidence and decreases anxiety, contributing to better patient safety.
• Optimizing simulation training is crucial for the future of residency education in OHNS.