ICU Preparedness Course

This Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Preparedness Course consists of three 3-hour sessions. Reading materials are sent to residents 4-6 weeks prior to the course. Each session consists of an interactive didactic presentation (45 minutes), a hands-on session (30-45 minutes) and a simulation scenario (20-30 minutes) led by one resident and followed by a structured large group debrief with emphasis of reflective practice (1 hour). During the fourth week there is a 20-minute simulation scenario that is designed as a formative test with individualized feedback for each resident. The course is evaluated using a pre-/postknowledge multiple-choice question (MCQ) test given to the residents both 1 week prior to the course and 2 weeks after the course has concluded. We have been conducting this course since 2010. Pre-/posttest MCQ's were developed in 2013. The residents reported that the program achieved all its goals. Self-advocacy assessments revealed that the course made them more confident managing critically ill patients and improved understanding of resources that can help them when in need as well as being more confident in their own communication skills. They described the experience as: “Very helpful,” “Helped reduce my apprehension,” “Increased my self-confidence,” “This SICU preparedness course was one of the single best educational experiences as a PGY1,” “These last four sessions are best curriculum of intern year. We need to keep this for next year,” and “I wish most PGY1 conferences were presented in this format.” Residents reported that attending the course improved their confidence to manage septic patients, manage hypoxic respiratory failure, manage hemodynamic instability, and manage arrhythmias in the critical care settings. They also reported better understanding of support resources available to them in the ICU settings. Resident feedback regarding individual sessions for both format and content, as well as annual targeted needs assessment surveys helped guide revisions of the program every year.