A Narrative‑Informed ICU Humanizing Intervention: Trainee Perspectives on the 'Get to Know Me Board'.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Experience
• Humanistic Medicine

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) can lead to patient dehumanization.
• Physician trainees may struggle to maintain patient personhood amidst high cognitive demands.
• Humanizing interventions are needed to restore connection in critical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize literature on the 'Get to Know Me Board' (GTKMB) intervention.
• To describe GTKMB implementation in an ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To explore resident perceptions of GTKMB impact on patient engagement and professional meaning.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploration of resident experiences with GTKMBs.
• Literature synthesis on narrative-informed humanizing interventions.
• Implementation of GTKMBs in a New York City ICU.

Main Results:

• Trainees reported GTKMBs facilitated deeper patient connections.
• GTKMBs strengthened residents' sense of responsibility and work fulfillment.
• Feasible implementation required coordination and a dedicated champion.

Conclusions:

• Narrative-informed practices like GTKMBs can support trainee development.
• GTKMBs foster a culture of dignity and respect in the ICU.
• Integrating GTKMBs into medical education warrants further investigation.