Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) accelerated the need for virtual learning including telesimulation. Many emergency medicine (EM) programs halted in-person simulation and trialed telesimulation, but specifics on its utilization and plans for future use are unknown. Telesimulation has been d...

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Main Authors: Max Berger, Jack Buckanavage, Jaime Jordan, Steven Lai, Linda Regan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: eScholarship Publishing, University of California 2024-10-01
Series:Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
Online Access:https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1j71x7x0
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author Max Berger
Jack Buckanavage
Jaime Jordan
Steven Lai
Linda Regan
author_facet Max Berger
Jack Buckanavage
Jaime Jordan
Steven Lai
Linda Regan
author_sort Max Berger
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) accelerated the need for virtual learning including telesimulation. Many emergency medicine (EM) programs halted in-person simulation and trialed telesimulation, but specifics on its utilization and plans for future use are unknown. Telesimulation has been defined as “a process by which telecommunication and simulation resources are utilized to provide education, training, and/or assessment to learners at an off-site location.” Our objective in this study was to describe the patterns of telesimulation usage in EM residency programs during COVID-19-induced learning restrictions as well as its anticipated future utility. Methods: We identified EM simulation leaders via the EMRA Match website, institutional websites, or personal contact with residency coordinators and directors, and invited them to participate by email. Participants completed a confidential, web-based survey consisting of multiple-choice items and one free-response question, developed by our study team with consideration of survey research best practices and Messick’s validity framework. We collected data between January–February 2022. We calculated descriptive statistics for multiple-choice items and examined the free-response answers for common themes. Results: We obtained contact information for simulation leaders at 139 EM residency programs. Survey response rate was 65% (91/139). During in-person restrictions, 62% (56/91) of programs used telesimulation. Assuming all restrictions lifted, 38% (34/90) of respondents planned to continue to use telesimulation, compared to 9% (8/91) using telesimulation before COVID-19. Most respondents planned to use telesimulation for medical knowledge (26/34, 76%) and communication/teamwork-focused cases (23/34, 68%). In response to the free-response question regarding experience with and plans for use, we identified three major themes: 1) telesimulation is a valuable alternative to in-person learning; 2) telesimulation is an option for learners unable to participate in person; and 3) telesimulation is challenging for procedural education. Conclusion: Despite the relatively limited use of telesimulation in EM residencies prior to COVID-19, an increased number of programs have plans to continue incorporating telesimulation into their curricula. This plan for continued use opens opportunities for further innovation and scholarship within simulation education.
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spelling doaj-art-c5c106ece8ae47a1a97496d29a8e4d7f2024-12-03T16:58:27ZengeScholarship Publishing, University of CaliforniaWestern Journal of Emergency Medicine1936-900X1936-90182024-10-0125690791210.5811/westjem.2486324863Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation LeadersMax Berger0Jack Buckanavage1Jaime Jordan2Steven Lai3Linda Regan4University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, CaliforniaMount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York, New YorkUniversity of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, CaliforniaUniversity of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, CaliforniaJohns Hopkins University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandIntroduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) accelerated the need for virtual learning including telesimulation. Many emergency medicine (EM) programs halted in-person simulation and trialed telesimulation, but specifics on its utilization and plans for future use are unknown. Telesimulation has been defined as “a process by which telecommunication and simulation resources are utilized to provide education, training, and/or assessment to learners at an off-site location.” Our objective in this study was to describe the patterns of telesimulation usage in EM residency programs during COVID-19-induced learning restrictions as well as its anticipated future utility. Methods: We identified EM simulation leaders via the EMRA Match website, institutional websites, or personal contact with residency coordinators and directors, and invited them to participate by email. Participants completed a confidential, web-based survey consisting of multiple-choice items and one free-response question, developed by our study team with consideration of survey research best practices and Messick’s validity framework. We collected data between January–February 2022. We calculated descriptive statistics for multiple-choice items and examined the free-response answers for common themes. Results: We obtained contact information for simulation leaders at 139 EM residency programs. Survey response rate was 65% (91/139). During in-person restrictions, 62% (56/91) of programs used telesimulation. Assuming all restrictions lifted, 38% (34/90) of respondents planned to continue to use telesimulation, compared to 9% (8/91) using telesimulation before COVID-19. Most respondents planned to use telesimulation for medical knowledge (26/34, 76%) and communication/teamwork-focused cases (23/34, 68%). In response to the free-response question regarding experience with and plans for use, we identified three major themes: 1) telesimulation is a valuable alternative to in-person learning; 2) telesimulation is an option for learners unable to participate in person; and 3) telesimulation is challenging for procedural education. Conclusion: Despite the relatively limited use of telesimulation in EM residencies prior to COVID-19, an increased number of programs have plans to continue incorporating telesimulation into their curricula. This plan for continued use opens opportunities for further innovation and scholarship within simulation education.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1j71x7x0
spellingShingle Max Berger
Jack Buckanavage
Jaime Jordan
Steven Lai
Linda Regan
Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
title Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
title_full Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
title_fullStr Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
title_full_unstemmed Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
title_short Telesimulation Use in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: National Survey of Residency Simulation Leaders
title_sort telesimulation use in emergency medicine residency programs national survey of residency simulation leaders
url https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1j71x7x0
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