"A Simulation to Improve Understanding and Communication of Ethical Dil" by Nicholas Ludka, Ngan Nguyen et al.
 

A Simulation to Improve Understanding and Communication of Ethical Dilemmas That Surround Brain Death.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-26-2024

Publication Title

MedEdPORTAL

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Providers across multiple specialties may be called upon to perform brain death assessments at hospitals that lack specialty neurology or critical care services. To address this need, we developed a brain death curriculum involving simulation and group discussion to prepare medical trainees for brain death testing and communication with surrogate decision-makers.

METHODS: A 1-hour session was delivered to trainees rotating through the intensive care unit at William Beaumont University Hospital. One trainee per session participated in a simulation involving a brain-dead patient (SimMan 3G Mannequin) and spouse (confederate) while the remainder of the cohort observed from a separate room. The trainee briefed the spouse about the brain death examination, performed the examination, and communicated their findings. Afterward, the cohort discussed the history, law, and common ethical and communication issues that surround brain death.

RESULTS: A total of 35 trainees participated from August 2022 to March 2023. After the session, trainees were more comfortable performing brain death testing (

DISCUSSION: The simulation had a positive impact on medical trainees' ability to perform brain death testing and their comfort level in discussing complex ethical issues that surround brain death. Our results support continued simulation training for medical trainees to better prepare them for clinical practice.

Volume

20

First Page

11444

DOI

10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11444

ISSN

2374-8265

PubMed ID

39328402

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