Medical Students' Perception of Telesimulation Training: A Qualitative Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past 2 decades, simulation-based learning has become an essential part of medical training. Simulated clinics have proven to be effective for training medical students. Even so, this learning method presents organizational and financial challenges that limit its dissemination to all medical students, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Simulated teleconsultation retains the advantages of interactive simulated clinics while offering concrete solutions to the challenges faced. The project aims to explore students' perspectives on simulated teleconsultation training compared to simulated clinics in person. METHODS: Ten pre-clerkship students in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa participated in interviews following in-person and teleconsultation simulated clinic sessions. The interview guide was developed based on previous work. The questions asked concerned experience with teleconsultation, interaction with the tutor and patient, practical or logistical obstacles, educational value and feasibility. The authors evaluated the results using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: The interview analysis showed that the tutor feedback received during the simulated teleconsultation was comparable to that received after the in-person simulated clinic. Although most of the students enjoy teleconsultation, they raised the challenge of carrying out physical examinations and creating a personal connection with the tutor/patient. CONCLUSION: Given the circumstances of the pandemic and students' comfort with technology, the new generation of medical students seems prepared to embrace teleconsultation. The themes identified in the analysis will enable the necessary adjustments to be made in order to optimize their teleconsultation training, an inextricable step in promoting the active offer of healthcare services.

[Empowering yourself to better participate in feedback: a new cognitive-behavioural model for medical learners]. / S'outiller pour mieux participer à la rétroaction : Un nouveau modèle cognitivo-comportemental destiné aux apprenants en médecine.

Sharing formative feedback is inherent in the supervision process and the acceptance of feedback by learners is an essential step in learning. However, receiving feedback from the supervisor evokes emotions and accepting it is not easy. Several recommendations guide preceptors on how to share feedback with learners and all emphasize the importance of encouraging the learner to actively interact in the feedback process. Although studies point to the positive effect of informing and training learners about feedback, few focus on their responsiveness to feedback. Under the rubric of developing a personal skill to better accept feedback, we propose a new behavioral model, called H.O.S.T., which aims to guide learners to approach feedback with a personal growth mindset associated with the learning position. Specifically, the model presents an interdependent set of attitudes and behaviors that aim to facilitate emotional management and engagement in the feedback process, in order to initiate the reflective process necessary for learning and to enable the acquisition of targeted skills. The acronym H.O.S.T. reminds students of the four essential elements of the behavioral model: humility, openness, shared explicitness and tenacity. Based on the positive psychology movement, each element is defined and justified by known theoretical concepts. In order to better assimilate the components of the model, the use of internal dialogue is adopted to facilitate the training and adoption of behaviors. The essence of the model is discussed in light of the feedback literacy dedicated to learners.

Professional Coaching as a Continuing Professional Development Intervention to Address the Physician Distress Epidemic.

ABSTRACT: Physician distress and burnout are reaching epidemic proportions, threatening physicians' capacities to develop and maintain competencies in the face of the increasingly demanding and complex realities of medical practice in today's world. In this article, we suggest that coaching should be considered both a continuing professional development intervention as well as an integral part of a balanced and proactive solution to physician distress and burnout. Unlike other interventions, coaching is intended to help individuals gain clarity in their life, rather than to treat a mental health condition or to provide advice, support, guidance, or knowledge/skills. Certified coaches are trained to help individuals discover solutions to complex problems and facilitate decision-making about what is needed to build and maintain capacity and take action. Across many sectors, coaching has been shown to enhance performance and reduce vulnerability to distress and burnout, but it has yet to be systematically implemented in medicine. By empowering physicians to discover and implement solutions to challenges, regain control over their lives, and act according to their own values, coaching can position physicians to become leaders and advocates for system-level change, while simultaneously prioritizing their own well-being.

Evaluation of a tool to improve the quality of preceptor written feedback for family medicine residents: training and use of a CanMEDS-MF competency-based criterion guide.

Background: Written feedback is essential in resident teaching, but preceptors are not always well equipped to provide relevant feedback. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-episodic training and the use of a criterion-referenced guide for written feedback for family medicine preceptors in a French-language academic hospital. Method: Twenty-three (23) preceptors participated in the training and used the criterion-referenced guide to guide them during the written evaluation in an evaluation sheet named "Field Notes." The content of these Field Notes was analyzed according to completion, the rate of specific feedback, and the rate of feedback by CanMEDS-MF role before and after the training over a three-month period. Results: Based on the analysis of the Field Notes (n = 70 pre-test; n = 138 post-test), an increase in the percentage of completion (50% vs. 92%, z = 2.97, p = 0.0030) and specific feedback (59% vs. 92%, z = 2.47, p=0.0137) was noted. There was no significant increase in feedback by CanMEDS-MF role. Conclusions: The development of multi-episodic training and a criterion-referenced guide, created according to the CanMEDS-MF repository, suggests an improvement in comprehensive and specific written feedback in family medicine education.

Contexte: La rétroaction écrite est primordiale dans l'enseignement aux résidents, mais les précepteurs ne sont pas toujours outillés pour offrir une rétroaction pertinente. Cette étude visait à évaluer l'efficacité de formations multiépisodiques et l'utilisation d'un guide critérié pour les rétroactions écrites des précepteurs en médecine familiale d'un centre hospitalier académique francophone. Méthode: Vingt-trois (23) précepteurs ont participé aux formations et ont utilisé le guide critérié pour les guider lors de l'évaluation écrite dans une fiche évaluative nommée «feuille de route¼. Le contenu de ces feuilles de route a été analysé selon la complétion, le taux de rétroactions spécifiques et le taux de rétroactions par rôle CanMEDS-MF avant et après les formations sur une période de trois mois. Résultats: Selon l'analyse des feuilles de route (n=70 prétest ; n=138 posttest), une augmentation du pourcentage de complétion (40% vs 92%, z=3.51, p=0.0005) et de rétroactions spécifiques (59% vs 92%, z=2.47, p=0.0137) fut notée. Il n'y avait aucune augmentation significative quant aux rétroactions par rôle CanMEDS-MF. Conclusions: L'élaboration de formations multiépisodiques et d'un guide critérié, créés selon le référentiel CanMEDS-MF, suggère une amélioration de rétroactions écrites complètes et spécifiques en éducation de la médecine familiale.

Impact of coaching on physician wellness: A systematic review.

Physician wellness is critical for patient safety and quality of care. Coaching has been successfully and widely applied across many industries to enhance well-being but has only recently been considered for physicians. This review aimed to summarize the existing evidence on the effect of coaching by trained coaches on physician well-being, distress and burnout. MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched without language restrictions to December 21, 2022. Studies of any design were included if they involved physicians of any specialty undergoing coaching by trained coaches and assessed at least one measure along the wellness continuum. Pairs of independent reviewers determined reference eligibility. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and for Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures as well as inconsistent reporting. The search retrieved 2531 references, of which 14 were included (5 RCTs, 2 non-randomized controlled studies, 4 before-and-after studies, 2 mixed-methods studies, 1 qualitative study). There were 1099 participants across all included studies. Risk of bias was moderate or serious for non-RCTs, while the 5 RCTs were of lower risk. All quantitative studies reported effectiveness of coaching for at least one outcome assessed. The included qualitative study reported a perceived positive impact of coaching by participants. Evidence from available RCTs suggests coaching for physicians can improve well-being and reduce distress/burnout. Non-randomized interventional studies have similar findings but face many limitations. Consistent reporting and standardized outcome measures are needed.

Communicating effectively with patients about vaccination: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Good communication between healthcare professionals and their patients is essential to enlighten the benefits and risks of vaccination. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, reluctance prevails, sometimes fuelled by sub-optimal communication leading to a lack of trust. An evaluation of the effectiveness of a communication strategy for which healthcare professionals are trained has yet to be carried out. Objective: Systematic review of studies with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to define and evaluate the impact of healthcare professionals' communication on patients' vaccine adherence. Methods: We performed a structured search on Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and CINAHL. The studies selected include those involving healthcare professionals authorized to administer vaccines according to Canadian guidelines. Primary outcomes include vaccination rate or vaccine hesitancy rate. Results: Nine articles were included. Five studies (n=5) reported intervention effectiveness according to vaccine adherence. The results are largely represented by parental vaccine hesitancy for human papillomavirus (HPV) or childhood vaccination, while three studies (n=3) target the general population. The risk of bias relative to the studies is either low (n=7) or of some concern (n=2). Conclusion: The effectiveness of communication varies according to the studies and knowledge acquired through training. Future studies will need to examine communication with healthcare professionals in order to establish a consensus on optimal and appropriate training.

Portrait of French-speaking minorities with respect to vaccination against COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign highlighted the requirement to better understand the needs of different populations. French-speaking minorities (FSMs) have greater difficulty accessing quality care in French, and this problem was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The aim of this survey was to develop a descriptive portrait of the health needs of FSMs in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign by describing their vaccination status, attitudes and beliefs compared with English-speaking majorities. Methods: A survey was conducted among eligible participants using convenience sampling. Data measurement includes a descriptive statistical comparison using analysis of the variance, univariate logistic regressions and a two-proportions z-test. Results: Of the 1,505 respondents (554 FSMs vs. 951 English speakers), the FSMs have an average age of 51.4 years and 89.2% are Canadian citizens. Vaccination of children was preponderant among English speakers (74.2% vs. 86.3%), including against COVID-19 (58.6% vs. 73.9%). A higher proportion of FSMs had gotten vaccinated in order to obtain a vaccine passport (39% vs. 29.3%). Among the unvaccinated, FSMs were more likely to question the efficacy of vaccines (60% vs. 36.4%). Canadian citizen FSMs with higher education could be divided in relation to the vaccine regimen. Conclusion: This survey revealed differences between FSMs and the English-speaking majority in their perceptions of vaccine efficacy, particularly vaccination of children, and a polarization of attitudes/beliefs among FSMs according to certain sociodemographic factors.

The quest for greater equity: a national cross-sectional study of the experiences of Black Canadian medical students.

BACKGROUND: Black medical students have been consistently underrepresented in Canadian medical schools, and data on the impact of discrimination on their medical education remain limited. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the experiences of Black medical students through the Black Medical Students' Association of Canada (BMSAC). METHODS: We developed a 63-item instrument around the domains of inclusion and diversity, wellness, discrimination, career advancement and diversity in medical education. The anonymous web-based questionnaire was sent to 128 medical students and first-year residents from all 17 Canadian medical schools via the BMSAC listserv. We obtained frequencies for demographic data and self-reported experiences. RESULTS: We received 52 responses. Of respondents, 59% had at least 1 personal encounter with discrimination in medical school. Discrimination was experienced in both clinical and academic contexts, notably from patients, peers and hospital staff. Students further along in their medical training were more likely to endorse having experienced discrimination in medical school. Most respondents had positive experiences with academic and clinical inclusion, as well as resiliency in the face of discrimination. However, most respondents had negative experiences relating to reporting discrimination, their well-being, career advancement, sentiments of minority tax and low diversity in medical education. INTERPRETATION: We found that discrimination has important implications on the learning experiences of Black medical students surveyed from the BMSAC. This directly challenges the notion that Canadian medical schools are impervious to racism and highlights the need for advocacy and systemic changes to eliminate institutional racism.

[Clinical reasoning and simulation: facilitating hypothesis prioritization using simulated patients. Data from quantitative research]. / Raisonnement clinique et simulation : faciliter la priorisation d'hypothèses grâce aux patients simulés. Données d'une recherche quantitative.

Background: Prioritizing diagnostic hypotheses can be difficult for novice medical students given their limited clinical exposure. Simulated clinical reasoning (CR) clinics allow students to practice focused histories with a simulated patient (SP). The delivery of clinical data by SPs can influence hypothesis generation. Objective: This pilot study seeks to test whether the transmission of key elements through SP acting influences CR prioritization among medical students. Method: The diagnostic hypotheses of two cohorts of students of the same academic level were compared following a virtual interview with an SP. The SPs in the experimental group were given a targeted script and briefing on key elements while the SPs in the control group were given a traditional script and briefing. The difference between the distributions of frequencies of the hypotheses of the two groups was determined using the chi-square calculation. Results: The students in the experimental group prioritized expert-validated hypotheses more than those in the control group. The control group showed greater variability in their diagnostic choices. Conclusion: Targeting the delivery of key elements by SPs could be a way to help novice medical students prioritize their diagnostic hypotheses. Simulated CR clinics therefore become a space for learning about CR in the absence of clinical exposure. The risk of inducing premature closure of clinical reasoning needs further research.