Transfer of training from an internal medicine boot camp to the workplace: enhancing and hindering factors

The impact of simulation-based mastery learning, booster session timing and clinical exposure on confidence in intercostal drain insertion: a survey of internal medicine trainees in Scotland

BACKGROUND

Intercostal chest drain (ICD) insertion is a skill that medical trainees lack confidence in performing. This study explores the impact of a national programme of Simulation-Based Mastery Learning (SBML) on procedural confidence, including the impact of time intervals between booster sessions and interim clinical experience.

METHODS

Internal Medicine Trainees in Scotland were surveyed about confidence and clinical experience with ICD insertion before and immediately after SBML and booster session. Data were matched and analysed using paired sample t-tests. Short interval and long interval groups were compared using Student's unpaired t-test. The impact of interim clinical experience was assessed using Analysis of Variance.

RESULTS

Mean confidence in ICD insertion rose following SBML, fell between initial and booster session, and increased again following booster session (P =  < 0.001). 33 of 74 trainees had successfully inserted an ICD between sessions. Fall in confidence was unaffected by the time interval between training sessions, but was mitigated by interim clinical experience.

CONCLUSIONS

SBML boosts trainee confidence in ICD insertion. However, there is evidence of confidence decay, possibly due to a lack of clinical experience between sessions. More research is needed to explore barriers to transfer of skills from simulated to real-world environments.

Postgraduate medical procedural skills: attainment of curricular competencies using enhanced simulation-based mastery learning at a novel national boot camp

INTRODUCTION

A new UK medical postgraduate curriculum prompted the creation of a novel national medical postgraduate 'boot camp'. An enhanced simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) methodology was created to deliver procedural skills teaching within this national boot camp. This study aimed to explore the impact of SBML in a UK medical boot camp.

METHODS

One-hundred and two Scottish medical trainees attended a 3-day boot camp starting in August 2019. The novel enhanced SBML pathway entailed online pre-learning resources, deliberate practice, and simulation assessment and feedback. Data were gathered via pre- and post-boot camp questionnaires and assessment checklists.

RESULTS

The vast majority of learners achieved the required standard of performance. Learners reported increased skill confidence levels, including skills not performed at the boot camp.

CONCLUSION

An enhanced SBML methodology in a boot camp model enabled streamlined, standardised procedural skill teaching to a national cohort of junior doctors. Training curricular competencies were achieved alongside increased skill confidence.