Using Mock On-Call Patient Encounters to Assess Ophthalmology Resident Peer Communication and Clinical Readiness: A Pilot Study

Authors

Shravika L. Chennupati, Resident Physician, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN, USAFollow
Jonathan Barnett, Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
Jennifer L. Lindsey, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Amy S. Chomsky, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute
John B. Bond, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Edward F. Cherney, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Janice C. Law, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Abstract

Introduction

Communication between co-residents is a crucial component of success among ophthalmology resident physicians who are part of the same on-call team. However, opportunities to assess and hone communication skills during residency training are limited. We developed a novel pilot workshop to improve and assess communication and collaboration between ophthalmology trainees.

Methods

Two standardized patient scenarios were developed in which residents collaborated in a mock on-call team. Encounters took place in a simulated clinic space. Team members consisted of a PGY-2 resident, PGY-3 resident, and a faculty evaluator. A critical action checklist was used to assess learners during the encounters. Peer and faculty evaluation forms were completed following each encounter. A structured debriefing session was conducted to facilitate guided reflection and teach about various communication methods and pitfalls. Post-workshop questionnaires were distributed to learners to assess the short- and long-term effectiveness of the workshop.

Results

Eight ophthalmology residents and four faculty evaluators participated in the workshop. PGY-2 residents felt that the workshop improved their patient care skills (mean rating of 4.7 on a 5-point scale) and their ability to communicate and collaborate with peers while on call (mean ratings of 5.0 and 4.7, respectively). PGY-3 residents reported improvement in their ability to coach and communicate with PGY-2s on call (mean ratings of 4.7 and 4.7, respectively). Evaluators indicated that the workshop was a useful method of evaluating the readiness of PGY-3 residents to independently manage an on-call team.

Conclusions

This pilot study supports the feasibility of using standardized patient encounters to improve communication and collaboration amongst ophthalmology residents and assess readiness to manage an on-call team.

Recommended Citation

Chennupati, Shravika L.; Barnett, Jonathan; Lindsey, Jennifer L.; Chomsky, Amy S.; Bond, John B.; Cherney, Edward F.; and Law, Janice C. (2024) "Using Mock On-Call Patient Encounters to Assess Ophthalmology Resident Peer Communication and Clinical Readiness: A Pilot Study," Journal of Academic Ophthalmology: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://www.aupojournal.org/jao/vol16/iss1/5