A Simulation to Improve Understanding and Communication of Ethical Dilemmas That Surround Brain Death
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Providers across multiple specialties may be called upon to perform brain death assessments at hospitals that lack specialty neurology or critical care services. To address this need, we developed a brain death curriculum involving simulation and group discussion to prepare medical trainees for brain death testing and communication with surrogate decision-makers. Methods: A 1-hour session was delivered to trainees rotating through the intensive care unit at William Beaumont University Hospital. One trainee per session participated in a simulation involving a brain-dead patient (SimMan 3G Mannequin) and spouse (confederate) while the remainder of the cohort observed from a separate room. The trainee briefed the spouse about the brain death examination, performed the examination, and communicated their findings. Afterward, the cohort discussed the history, law, and common ethical and communication issues that surround brain death. Results: = .52) view of death. Discussion: The simulation had a positive impact on medical trainees' ability to perform brain death testing and their comfort level in discussing complex ethical issues that surround brain death. Our results support continued simulation training for medical trainees to better prepare them for clinical practice.
Source: MedEdPORTAL
Institution: Oakland University
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402895667