Measuring Impact of Simulation-Based Informed Consent Training on Surgical Intern's Long-Term Confidence

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of a training program on long-term confidence of interns and attending physicians. In this prospective cohort study, general surgery interns underwent a training program on informed consent that involved didactics, standardized patient encounters, and supplemental procedure specific guides at the start of the academic year. At the end of the academic year, we surveyed interns from the classes of 2020 (trained) and 2019 (untrained) about their experience and confidence in obtaining an informed consent. Further, we queried attending physicians on their experience and confidence in the interns at the end of each academic year. Single academic general surgery residency program based at 2 urban tertiary hospitals. General surgery interns including unmatched preliminary residents and categorical interns from general surgery, interventional radiology, and urology. Twenty-four incoming interns participated in the training program. Intern confidence discussing operation benefits improved from a median score of 4 to 5 (p = 0.03), and total confidence improved from a median score of 15 to 17.5 (p = 0.08). There was no difference in median total confidence scores (15 vs. 17.5; p = 0.21) between classes. Attending physicians had similar median total confidence scores following intervention (10 vs. 11; p = 0.87). Intern satisfaction was 80% with the didactic session, and 90% with standardized patient encounters. Twenty percent of learners used the supplemental procedure specific guides. Implementation of an intern targeted program on informed consent that incorporated didactics and standardized patient encounters was viewed as useful and may contribute to long-term improvements in confidence.