GME Interns get hands-on during first-ever simulation boot camp

Graduate Medical Education interns at William Beaumont Army Medical Center participated in WBAMC's first-ever Intern Boot Camp, where the students were introduced to various simulated scenarios, testing knowledge and familiarity with equipment and procedures at WBAMC's Simulation Center, June 27.

The training aimed to reintroduce 24 interns to basic medical practices to maximize patient safety at WBAMC. Scenarios focused on patient assessment, electronic medical records, suture and knot tying, central line placement and focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST).

"Simulation is essential for the education of our interns and residents," said Dr. John Schriver, Chief of Graduate Medical Education, WBAMC. "(Simulation) allows hands-on training and experience without potential for negative patient outcome."

Although interns go through similar training during medical school, the boot camp allows them to refresh training objectives and boost confidence in real patient care scenarios.

"This (training) is essential," said Capt. Michael Yanoschik, a transitional year intern. "For one, after going through (medical) school, for four years and graduating, you get a little bit of a gap in time and you may not be as up to speed on some of this stuff so It's really helpful take a step back, get back into the groove in a nice controlled environment where you have observers who can give you feedback and check the boxes."

WBAMC's GME programs consists of internships and residencies in internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and transitional year internships. All GME program interns were welcomed during the boot camp, to immerse interns in diverse education experiences through simulation.

"(The training) is really helpful, it's always great to do as much practice as you can, so as many times you can get into a sim lab I would take it," said Yanoschik, a recent graduate from Wayne State University School of Medicine.

"We were able to focus on our military/hospital specific processes," said Schriver. "We also are able to provide a higher level of educational experience than many medical schools provide. Medical schools educate students to be able to begin their internship. We aim to provide an educational experience for the Intern progressing to resident level."

According to Schriver, accrediting bodies for some residency programs require specific simulation training as a requirement for graduation and obtaining Medical Board Certification.

Additionally, WBAMC's Simulation Center is a designated Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) testing center for Fundamentals of Endoscopy (FES) allowing local civilian and military GME residents opportunities to test cognitive and technical skills in the practice of flexible endoscopy, a graduation requirement for surgery residents. The center also plans to be designated as a Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery testing site in the near future, making WBAMC's Simulation Center the sole regional testing center for the two practices.

The boot camp will further progress strides toward full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, an international organization promoting improvements in simulation technology, educational methods, and patient safety. Recently, the center gained provisional accreditation.

"Having a simulation environment is vital to our residency training programs. We are able to provide opportunity for practicing skills and communication in an environment without risk to a patient," said Schriver. "The residents' days can be very hectic. Teaching procedures such as colonoscopy requires both knowledge and repetition. Having equipment that is available 24/7 allows residents to incorporate this learning into their non-traditional schedules for maximum efficiency."