Hemorrhage Control Training Promotes Resilience-Associated Traits in Medical Students

• Published in: Journal of surgical education 2019-01, Vol.76 (1), p.77-82
• Main Authors: Levy-Carrick, Nomi C., McCarty, Justin C., Chaudhary, Muhammad Ali, Caterson, Edward J., Haider, Adil H., Eyre, Andrew J., Mahon, Pamela B., Goralnick, Eric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burnout; First Response; Hemorrhage control; Medical education; Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Resilience; Systems-Based Practice
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2018.06.007

Given rising rates of physician burnout, the potential for clinical skills training programs to develop and reinforce resilience-associated traits in medical students warrants investigation. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of a hemorrhage control training program on resilience-associated traits (role-clarity, self-efficacy, and empowerment) in medical students. A secondary objective was to examine the differential impact of additional hands-on skills training. This was a prospective study of medical students participating in an established hemorrhage control training program, utilizing pre-, mid-, and post-training questionnaires. The program included both an in-person lecture and hands-on skills training. Primary endpoints were self-reported increases in role clarity (when the hemorrhage control skills would and would not be applicable), self-efficacy (confidence in ability to use the skill), and empowerment (to act in a situation where the skill was needed). Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. One hundred and twenty-six Harvard Medical School students participated. There was a significant increase at each stage of training in self-reported role clarity about when to apply hemorrhage control skills (p < 0.01) and when not to apply them (p < 0.01); confidence in application of the skill (p < 0.01); as well as empowerment to apply the skill when appropriate (p < 0.01). Hemorrhage control training, a first response-related clinical skills program, is a promising domain for development and reinforcement of resilience-associated traits in medical students, particularly when the program includes hands-on skills training. Providing experiential learning opportunities that are designed not only for skills-specific outcomes, but also to reinforce such resilience-associated traits as role-clarity, self-efficacy, and empowerment provides an essential integrated perspective.