Objective: Simulation-based education has become an essential component of graduate medical education as real-life clinical experiences become less frequent. Factors such as increasing trainee numbers, duty hour restrictions, and advancements in therapeutic options have contributed to reduced clinical exposure. Neonatology trainees, in particular, face challenges gaining adequate procedural experience. National data highlights gaps in procedural exposure, with graduating fellows reporting limited experience in critical procedures. Recognizing the need for structured, multi-institutional, and longitudinal education, we developed the Midwest Neonatal Simulation Boot Camp (MNSBC), a three-year simulation-based boot camp curriculum designed to enhance neonatology fellows' cognitive, technical and communication skills throughout their training. Study Design: The MNSBC was developed by a multi-institutional executive committee composed of stakeholders from various Chicago-area neonatology programs. The curriculum was introduced in phases, starting with a first-year boot camp in 2019, followed by second- and third-year boot camps in subsequent years. Needs assessments informed the content and structure of each boot camp, which incorporated procedural stations, high-stakes clinical scenarios, challenging communication exercises, and point-of-care ultrasound training. Results: Since its inception, the MNSBC curriculum has trained 152 first-year, 88 second-year, and 57 third-year fellows from 12 programs across five Midwestern states. Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in self-assessed proficiency following each boot camp. Anonymous evaluations collected from fellow participants consistently highlighted enhanced clinical skills, knowledge, and confidence in managing low-frequency, high-stakes procedures and clinical scenarios. The program's collaborative model has minimized costs for participating institutions, allowing funds to be redirected toward travel and accommodations. Conclusion: The MNSBC demonstrates that a multi-institutional, longitudinal simulation-based curriculum is both feasible and effective in improving neonatology fellows’ clinical skills. As pediatric training requirements evolve, the MNSBC offers a sustainable model for enhancing procedural competency and bridging educational gaps throughout fellowship training.
Trivedi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.