Resuscitation Leadership Training: A Simulation Curriculum for Emergency Medicine Residents

INTRODUCTION: Throughout training, emergency medicine (EM) residents must learn to work within, and eventually lead, multidisciplinary teams in high-acuity dynamic situations. Most residents do not undergo formal resuscitation team leadership training but learn these skills through mentorship by and observation of senior physicians. We designed and implemented a formal simulation-based leadership training program for EM residents. METHODS: We developed a resuscitation team leadership curriculum in which 24 junior EM residents participated in an initial simulation of a critically ill patient before undergoing a didactic presentation regarding crisis resource management (CRM) principles. Residents applied those principles in three subsequent simulations. Faculty observers evaluated each case using EM Milestones, the Ottawa Global Rating Scale (GRS), and critical actions checklists. Residents then completed surveys evaluating their own leadership and communication skills before and after the course. RESULTS: Scores from the Ottawa GRS, critical actions checklists, and several of the EM Milestones were significantly better in the latter three cases (after completing the CRM didactics) than in the first case. After completing this curriculum, residents felt that their ability to both lead resuscitations and communicate effectively with their team improved. DISCUSSION: Implementation of the resuscitation team leadership curriculum improved EM residents’ leadership performance in critically ill patient scenarios. The curriculum also improved residents’ comfort in leading and communicating with a team. Similar formal leadership development curricula, especially when combined with simulation, may enhance EM physician training. Future studies will include other multidisciplinary team members to create a more realistic and inclusive learning environment.