Exploring the Learning Process for Neonatology Fellows of Giving Serious News on a Virtual Platform - PubMed (original) (raw)
Exploring the Learning Process for Neonatology Fellows of Giving Serious News on a Virtual Platform
Sandra Aziz et al. Cureus. 2024.
Abstract
Background Since 1998, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has highlighted the importance of teaching palliative care skills, yet neonatology fellows sometimes receive varied and inadequate training on these topics. As this study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when our medical education curriculum was still mostly remote, our aim was to explore how neonatology fellows learned to give serious news with the use of a virtual platform. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore, through qualitative interviews after virtual simulations, the individual learning experiences of giving serious news to a standardized patient (SP). Methods Between January and December 2022, neonatology fellows participated in quarterly two-hour virtual sessions with an SP. At each session, two fellows practiced giving serious news with an SP, and after the session, both fellows were interviewed about their experiences. Analysis of interviews was conducted with a team-based approach using qualitative data analysis software. Results The following four major themes were identified: types of training, role-playing, virtual platform, and lessons learned. Simulation training was found to be beneficial in the learning and practicing of giving serious news. The virtual environment was viewed as a safe learning environment. Approximately half of the participants stated that the virtual learning environment may be more comfortable compared with in-person simulations. Conclusion Online simulation sessions can serve as a safe, valuable, and comfortable platform to teach and practice skills for giving serious news.
Keywords: communication; giving serious news; interviews; learning; neonatology; palliative care; simulation; virtual platform.
Copyright © 2024, Aziz et al.
Conflict of interest statement
Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. University of California San Diego Human Research Protections Program issued approval Project #210130XX. This single center pilot study protocol #210130XX, “Pilot Study: Evaluating the feasibility of role playing for fellows to practice skills giving news using a virtual platform,” was reviewed by the University of California San Diego Human Research Protections Program and certified as exempt from IRB review under 45 CFR 46.104(d) category 2 on February 8, 2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
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