The Intensive Care Preparedness Course is a simulation-based educational program designed to prepare surgical residents for managing critically ill patients in the ICU. The curriculum consists of three core sessions (each 3 hours) combining didactic teaching, hands-on practice, and simulation-based scenarios, followed by a fourth session focused on individualized assessment. The course emphasizes active learning, clinical decision-making, and reflective practice through structured debriefing. Pre- and post-course assessments evaluate knowledge gains and self-confidence. Overall, the program aims to improve residents’ competence, confidence, and readiness for ICU leadership roles.
Target Learners
- Primary audience: PGY-2 surgical residents preparing for leadership roles in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
- Secondary applicability:
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- Other residents entering ICU rotations
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- Potential expansion to fellows in critical care disciplines (e.g., anesthesia, pulmonary, neurocritical care)
Equipment / Resources Needed
- Simulation environment with:
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- Closed-circuit video feed to debriefing room
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- Recording capability
- Physiologically responsive mannequin
- Debriefing space with viewing screens
- Computer with projection capabilities
- Simulation technician
- Personnel:
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- One nurse per scenario
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- Two instructors for debriefing
Estimated Time to Complete the Activity
- Pre-course preparation:
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- Assigned readings 4–6 weeks prior
- Core program duration:
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- 3 sessions × 3 hours each = 9 hours total
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- Didactic: 45–60 min/session
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- Hands-on: ~30 min/session
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- Simulation: 15–30 min/session
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- Debriefing: ~60 min/session
- Final assessment session:
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- ~20 minutes per learner
- Total learner time commitment:
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- ~9–10 hours of in-person training
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- Additional time for pre/post testing and readings