139 - Importance of Simulation-Based Resident Education for Management of Patients in an Acute Rehabilitation Setting: An Active Learning PM&R Boot Camp for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents

Objectives: To prepare physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) residents after internship year on topics related to rehabilitation, such as complex rehab-specific call scenarios and leading an interdisciplinary team.

Design: A two-day, ten-hour rehabilitation “boot camp” was held by senior PM&R residents prior to the beginning of PGY-2 inpatient academic year. Key core competencies taught included ability to handle complex rehab-specific call scenarios, describe Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services guidelines and identify appropriate candidates for acute rehabilitation, describe different disposition settings for rehab patients, complete a comprehensive International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam, lead interdisciplinary team meetings and family conferences, and ability to successfully admit and discharge an acute rehab patient. Each session was focused on active learning and participation by residents, with educational techniques such as peer-teaching technique, inquiry-based learning and role playing used throughout.

Results: Knowledge assessments and surveys were completed at baseline and immediately following intervention. Survey responses related to level of confidence with topics reviewed were recorded via Likert scale, ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree, and multiple-choice knowledge assessments were scored out of 100%. Differences from baseline to post-intervention were analyzed. Knowledge assessment scores significantly improved from 47.4% (95% CI: 39.4%-55.4%) at baseline to 91.3% (95% CI: 86.6%-96.0%) following the boot camp (P < .05). Improved confidence was demonstrated in the assessment and management of all topics (P < .05).

Conclusions: The transition from either a transitional year or medicine-focused internship year to rehabilitation as a PGY-2 resident can be daunting. Residents participating in a simulation-based, active learning rehabilitation-focused education that focused on urgent medical and rehab complications, identification of appropriate acute inpatient rehabilitation patients, differentiating disposition options, completing a ISNCSCI exam, and leading an interdisciplinary team and family meeting, resulted in increased knowledge and confidence in these topics.