Effects of an Experiential Trauma Bootcamp on PGY 3 Anesthesiology Residents' Knowledge and Confidence Levels.

Abstract

Background: Bootcamp-style education involves short, intense educational sessions and is a proven educational modality in anesthesia medical education. However, rarely has it been used with senior anesthesiology residents and never in exposing these residents to a curriculum aimed at care of the trauma patient. The purpose of this study was to design and implement an experiential bootcamp to prepare anesthesiology residents to take senior trauma call at a Level 1 trauma center in the Southeastern United States.

Methods: Before taking senior trauma call, 21 postgraduate year 3 anesthesiology residents took part in an 8-hour trauma bootcamp that combined flipped classroom-style education with immersive, procedural, and augmented reality simulation facilitated by subject matter experts. Before and after the bootcamp, residents completed 17-item confidence and 20-item knowledge questionnaires developed by the study authors. Results were compared before and after the bootcamp to determine overall change in confidence and knowledge levels pertaining to caring for trauma patients and taking senior trauma call. Additionally, residents completed an evaluation measuring their perceptions of the benefit of the educational offering.

Results: Statistically significant increases were seen in 16 out of 17 confidence questions (P < .001) and 12 out of 20 knowledge questions (P < .001). Additionally, respondents indicated that they found the content to be valuable and likely to improve their care delivery within the clinical setting.

Conclusions: Following this bootcamp, postcourse surveys demonstrated that residents' knowledge and confidence increased significantly through simulation combined with a flipped-classroom approach in preparation for senior trauma call.