P.016 Re-norming medical education: centering patient experience and diverse bodies in Lumbar Puncture (LP) instruction

Abstract

Background: Medical curricula are often created with limited patient and student input and underrepresent certain body types. Traditional medical education often prepares learners to perform procedures, such as lumbar punctures (LPs), on a young white able-bodied 70kg male. When approaching diverse patients, this educational gap can lead to medical learners’ lack of confidence, skill, and knowledge, resulting in poor patient experiences. Methods: This co-design project involves patient and student input. We interviewed five patients who underwent LPs and explored their experience through a trauma-informed approach. To visualize landmarking across body types, we recruited nine volunteers of diverse body sizes, ages, tattoos, and skin colour (Fitzpatrick Scale). Incorporating patient narratives, as well as videos and photographs showing landmarking on diverse bodies, we crafted an online LP instructional module. Focus groups of 6-10 students will be held to collect student perception of the effectiveness of the module. Results: Our learning module and related media will be built into Western University’s Undergraduate Medical Education curriculum, available under a Creative Commons license through the Western Health Education Media Library. Conclusions: Integrating patient experience and student feedback, we are developing a comprehensive educational tool to better equip medical learners to deliver patient-centered LPs across diverse body types.