Using Didactics and Simulation to Enhance Comfort, Knowledge, and Skills of Nonsurgical Trainees Caring for Patients With Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy

Introduction Management of tracheostomy and laryngectomy is an important skill for physicians who often care for patients with multiple, comorbid, chronic medical conditions. There is little published literature on training for tracheostomy and laryngectomy care during nonsurgical specialty residencies. This project was designed to assess and improve comfort with, knowledge of, proficiency in tracheostomy and laryngectomy care. Methods This prospective observational study comprised 122 physician trainees from internal medicine, emergency medicine, and anesthesia training programs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences participating in a simulation-based curriculum from April 2016 to December 2016. The curriculum included didactic session, hands-on experience performing a tracheostomy change, and practicing emergency scenarios on interactive, high-fidelity simulation mannequins. Preintervention and postintervention assessments of self-perceived comfort, objective knowledge, and tracheostomy change proficiency were performed and results compared. Results Self-perceived comfort improved from a mean Likert score from 2.12 to 4.43 (P = 0.009). Knowledge mean scores improved from 57% to 82% (P
Source: Simulation in Healthcare: The Journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare - Category: Medical Devices Tags: Empirical Investigations Source Type: research