Donor call simulation: A novel medical education tool to evaluate trainees' clinical decision-making in transplant infectious disease

BackgroundEvaluating organ suitability for transplantation based on infection risk is a core competency in transplant infectious disease (TID). It is unclear if trainees have opportunities to practice during training. We created a simulation curriculum to develop and evaluate this skill among infectious disease (ID) trainees.MethodsWe created six simulation questions about organ suitability for transplant based on infection risk. During trainees' TID rotations, faculty texted or paged the simulation cases posing as the transplant coordinator. Trainees had 15 min to ask questions before deciding the suitability of the organ and explained their clinical reasoning in a survey. Trainees completed a post-simulation survey to evaluate its effectiveness.ResultsID trainees, including residents and fellows on rotation, from seven centers participated. Eighty-seven percent (13/15) of trainees felt the simulation was effective in teaching them this concept, and 80% (12/15) felt prepared for clinical practice. The proportion of correct responses was generally high among the six different cases (43%-100%); correct responses increased for some cases in the post-activity survey. Of the 100 clinical reasoning decisions made during the activity, 19% were discordant, where the trainee correctly identified suitable organs for incorrect reasons.ConclusionOur simulation was effective in teaching when to accept or reject an organ for transplant and was a valuable educational tool. By evaluating clinical reasoning for decisions our simulation provides educators with nuanced insight and allows for targeted coaching. This study demonstrates a critical need for further educational tools in TID.image A medical education simulation taught trainees how to effectively decide when to accept or reject an organ for transplant based on infectious disease risk. Evaluating clinical reasoning for these decisions provided nuanced insight for transplant infectious disease (TID) educators to coach trainees. This study demonstrates a critical need for educational tools in TID.image

Automated summary

The study created a simulation curriculum to evaluate the skill of infectious disease trainees in assessing organ suitability for transplantation based on infection risk. The results showed that the curriculum was effective in teaching and preparing trainees for clinical practice.