Globalizing Paediatric Emergency Training: The EmergenSIMs Pathway Empowers Residents in Non-Paediatric Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) across the globe face numerous challenges in delivering optimal paediatric care due to limited equipment access, restricted training time, and a shortage of paediatric specialists. This article examines the execution and assessment of a year-long cross-border pediatric emergency simulation curriculum led by a team of expert faculty. The primary objective was to educate residents working in low-volume hospitals with limited exposure to paediatric emergencies, enhancing their preparedness through guidance from an international faculty. Methodology: To evaluate the impact of an international curriculum on residents' readiness for paediatric emergencies, we conducted a study in collaboration between Humanitas University, Italy, and Stanford University, USA. This innovative hybrid curriculum of online and onsite simulation learning was collaboratively conceptualized and executed within a tertiary non-pediatric hospital in Italy, with instruction provided by an international team. Evaluative measures for this approach comprised descriptive focus group evaluations and a standardized satisfaction survey. Results: Out of 104 residents, 55 (52%) participated in the online module, with 30 (54%) of them participating in the intensive onsite simulation. The survey response rate was 53%, yielding positive feedback: international faculty presence scored 4.8/5, course design 4.7/5 for its practicability, and 4.6/5 for engagement. In focus groups, students expressed their appreciation for international educational distinctions. In particular, the prevalent ABCDE assessment approach taught by the international faculty and the introduction of innovative educational approaches, such as the rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP), were deemed highly effective. Conclusion: The development and implementation of a hybrid, simulation-based curriculum for paediatric case management, led by foreign expert faculty, effectively addressed the existing gaps in postgraduate medical rotations. By equipping residents with essential competencies for managing pediatric cases, this initiative showcased the potential of globally optimizing and sharing finite resources, yielding favorable results for emergency care in tertiary settings.