Introduction: The integration of planetary health into medical education is increasingly recognized as essential for training future physicians. However, existing educational efforts primarily target medical students, leaving resident physicians with limited training in addressing the health impacts of environmental stressors. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based curriculum in enhancing Emergency Medicine residents’ knowledge and confidence in discussing these health challenges with patients. Methods: A cohort of Emergency Medicine residents at Johns Hopkins Hospital will participate in simulation sessions designed to address planetary health topics. Participants will complete pre- and post-session surveys using Qualtrics to assess changes in their comfort levels when discussing environmental health issues. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, to evaluate the primary outcome of increased confidence in discussions with patients. The study will take place from September 2024 to June 2025. Results: Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the proportion of residents reporting comfort in discussing health challenges driven by environmental stressors post-simulation. Secondary surveys will be conducted six months after the sessions to assess retention of knowledge and confidence. Conclusion: This study will provide insights into the efficacy of simulation-based education in enhancing resident training in planetary health. By addressing this education gap, we aim to empower residents to adopt a more holistic approach to patient care, integrating environmental factors into their clinical practice. The results could inform future curricular developments in medical training programs nationwide.
Moujaes et al. (Sun,) studied this question.