Education Research: Junior Neurology Residents Achieve Competency but Not Mastery After a Brief Acute Ischemic Stroke...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neurology
• Simulation Training

Background:

• Simulation bootcamps are utilized for onboarding neurology trainees.
• The effectiveness of these bootcamps in achieving competency for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) care is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a simulation bootcamp on neurology residents' competency in managing acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
• To assess improvements in performance and confidence levels among junior neurology residents after the simulation intervention.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-center, pre-post educational intervention study was conducted.
• The Angoff standard setting method determined Minimum Passing Scores (MPS) and Mastery Scores for AIS simulations.
• Junior residents underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments, including scored and unscored simulations, while senior residents were assessed on the post-test simulation.

Main Results:

• Initially, only 23% of junior residents met the MPS; post-training, this increased to 69%.
• Junior residents demonstrated significant improvement in mean simulation scores (10.3 to 15.7, p < 0.001) and confidence (3.3 to 4.9, p < 0.001).
• Post-training junior residents' scores were comparable to those of senior residents (15.7 vs 16.0, p = 0.793), though mastery was not achieved by any junior resident.

Conclusions:

• A brief AIS simulation course can enhance junior neurology residents' performance and confidence.
• The simulation training brings junior residents' skills to a level comparable to senior residents, though mastery is not consistently achieved.