Educating residents: the effects of a mock code program.
Housestaff residents are often the primary participants in codes that occur in a hospital setting, yet it is unknown how much confidence and knowledge they possess in the management of these medical emergencies. A study to learn the effect of a mock code program on residents' level of confidence and knowledge regarding code situations was initiated in a children's tertiary care hospital. Thirty-three residents completed a questionnaire before initiation of the study. The questionnaire revealed that codes scare them (79%), and that they felt a need for more knowledge (76%) and more experience (82%) before supervising a code. They did not feel confident in performing certain procedures such as treating dysrhythmias (79%), obtaining i.v. access (64%), and doing intubations (30%). Sixteen residents then participated in mock codes, and the other seventeen residents served as controls. Compared to the pre-study questionnaire, residents who had participated in mock codes had more confidence in their ability to supervise and felt less of a need for more knowledge before supervising a code. The participants also felt more confident in obtaining i.v. access and performing intubations during a code situation. There was no difference in the pre- and post-questionnaires of the control group. Residency programs are not meeting the educational and confidence needs of pediatric residents. A mock code program improves residents' perceived need for more knowledge before supervising a code and improves their confidence in doing many lifesaving procedures.
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Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292, USA.
Paul
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D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004630:Emergencies; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States