Simulation Training to Interrupt Microaggressions.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Communication
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine

Background:

• Microaggressions are prevalent in healthcare settings, negatively affecting trainee well-being.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for navigating difficult emotional situations in clinical environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot high-realism simulation scenarios for pediatric residents focused on addressing microaggressions.
• To evaluate the impact of simulation-based training on residents' confidence and faculty's empathy and facilitation skills.

Main Methods:

• Developed 4 high-realism simulation scenarios for pediatric residents, incorporating various forms of oppression (racism, sexism, ableism, etc.).
• Trained faculty with no prior simulation debriefing experience to facilitate sessions.
• Assessed resident confidence pre- and post-simulation (immediate and 3-month follow-up) and faculty feedback.

Main Results:

• Thirty-three residents reported increased confidence immediately after training, sustained at 3 months.
• Faculty reported enhanced empathy for residents and improved recognition and facilitation of microaggression discussions.
• Simulation effectively bridged the gap between didactic learning and real-world application of skills.

Conclusions:

• High-realism simulation is a promising method for training healthcare providers to address microaggressions.
• This training can improve the healthcare environment for both learners and patients by fostering better communication and reducing bias.