Abstract Manager

Oral

OE1-3-4

Accept

I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.

no

General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)

Oral

Education Innovation

Resident

yes

Enhancing Suicide Risk Assessment Skills Through Simulations in a Virtual Environment

Suicide risk assessment is a core skill-set in psychiatry, but dealing with suicidal patients is emotionally and ethically challenging for medical students. Competence is dependent on clinical variables including patient volumes and supervision. Simulations can supplement this by providing repeated practice with feedback that is standardized, safe and cost-effective.

Five interactive, e-learning simulation cases were developed that included suicidal ideation comorbid with depression, schizophrenia, substance use disorders including alcoholism, personality disorders with non-lethal self-harm behaviors, and chronic medical illness. Students watched videos of simulated patient encounters that proceeded sequentially, with options for response. For each option at each stage, real-time feedback was provided. Students were encouraged to select the correct response before moving on to the next stage.

After establishing usability, reliability and validity, this medical education innovation was tested with a randomized control study design. 61 students were randomized to the e-learning intervention or in person psychiatry education as usual. We measured SIRI-2 scores to measure competence in responding to suicidal statements. The intervention group had a statistically significant improvement in SIRI-2 scores following the e-learning, compared to the control group. There was a significant improvement in confidence (p<0.01) and competence (p<0.01) following the intervention. In addition, there were no differences between this e-learning intervention and in person education as usual (p=0.98, p=0.81). This tool can enhance medical education in suicide assessment, in a standardized and safe manner, particularly relevant in the context of limited clinical exposures for medical students.

Simulation

Undergraduate

e-learning

General

Teaching and learning

Undergraduate

Patient Safety

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes