Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia
Introduction Biases in communication can be harmful to patient perceptions of care and the medical team's decision-making. Optimal communication must be taught and practiced similarly to the optimal management of the complex medical conditions associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). This sim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Association of American Medical Colleges
2023-08-01
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| Series: | MedEdPORTAL |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11335 |
| _version_ | 1797742603152654336 |
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| author | Adeola A. Kosoko Yakira R. Alford Karl A. Upplegger Gowri S. Stevens |
| author_facet | Adeola A. Kosoko Yakira R. Alford Karl A. Upplegger Gowri S. Stevens |
| author_sort | Adeola A. Kosoko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Biases in communication can be harmful to patient perceptions of care and the medical team's decision-making. Optimal communication must be taught and practiced similarly to the optimal management of the complex medical conditions associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). This simulation is designed to teach about biases, optimizing communication to and about a patient with SCD, and appropriately diagnosing and managing pediatric osteomyelitis as a complication of SCD. Methods We designed and implemented a simulation case targeting emergency medicine residents and fellows to raise awareness about biases associated with SCD care and the complication of osteomyelitis in children with SCD. The case was delivered as a scheduled educational activity. Guided debriefing about optimizing care and communication for this patient population followed the simulation. We measured outcomes based on facilitator field notes and participant evaluations (Likert-scale and open-response questions). Results Forty learners of varying medical practice proficiencies, societal experiences, and demographics participated, with 30 completing the postsimulation feedback survey. A majority (97%) of participants indicated that the experience was useful and would improve their clinical performance. Participants learned from each other's language and communication styles and reflected on their own communication. Discussion Overall, participants found the simulation very useful as a review of the medical diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis in pediatric SCD. Moreover, they were very engaged and interested in the opportunity to learn about communication biases, particularly as these relate to SCD, to optimize their patient care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:43:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-77d931f98cda4f1bb73b39cf0b596caa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2374-8265 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:43:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Association of American Medical Colleges |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MedEdPORTAL |
| spelling | doaj.art-77d931f98cda4f1bb73b39cf0b596caa2023-08-16T04:00:06ZengAssociation of American Medical CollegesMedEdPORTAL2374-82652023-08-011910.15766/mep_2374-8265.11335Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell AnemiaAdeola A. Kosoko0Yakira R. Alford1Karl A. Upplegger2Gowri S. Stevens3Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonThird-Year Resident, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonPediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonAssistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonIntroduction Biases in communication can be harmful to patient perceptions of care and the medical team's decision-making. Optimal communication must be taught and practiced similarly to the optimal management of the complex medical conditions associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). This simulation is designed to teach about biases, optimizing communication to and about a patient with SCD, and appropriately diagnosing and managing pediatric osteomyelitis as a complication of SCD. Methods We designed and implemented a simulation case targeting emergency medicine residents and fellows to raise awareness about biases associated with SCD care and the complication of osteomyelitis in children with SCD. The case was delivered as a scheduled educational activity. Guided debriefing about optimizing care and communication for this patient population followed the simulation. We measured outcomes based on facilitator field notes and participant evaluations (Likert-scale and open-response questions). Results Forty learners of varying medical practice proficiencies, societal experiences, and demographics participated, with 30 completing the postsimulation feedback survey. A majority (97%) of participants indicated that the experience was useful and would improve their clinical performance. Participants learned from each other's language and communication styles and reflected on their own communication. Discussion Overall, participants found the simulation very useful as a review of the medical diagnosis and management of osteomyelitis in pediatric SCD. Moreover, they were very engaged and interested in the opportunity to learn about communication biases, particularly as these relate to SCD, to optimize their patient care.http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11335BiasClinical Reasoning/Diagnostic ReasoningClinical Teaching/Bedside TeachingCommunication SkillsEmergency MedicineHematology |
| spellingShingle | Adeola A. Kosoko Yakira R. Alford Karl A. Upplegger Gowri S. Stevens Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia MedEdPORTAL Bias Clinical Reasoning/Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical Teaching/Bedside Teaching Communication Skills Emergency Medicine Hematology |
| title | Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia |
| title_full | Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia |
| title_fullStr | Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia |
| title_short | Not Just a Pain: A Medical Simulation Case About Biased Communication and Osteomyelitis in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia |
| title_sort | not just a pain a medical simulation case about biased communication and osteomyelitis in pediatric sickle cell anemia |
| topic | Bias Clinical Reasoning/Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical Teaching/Bedside Teaching Communication Skills Emergency Medicine Hematology |
| url | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11335 |
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