Abstract
OBJECTIVE
1) To develop a robust psychomotor skills curriculum which focuses on teaching the individual component tasks required to perform the complex psychomotor skill of pediatric airway foreign body retrieval. 2) To assess the effect of this curriculum on residents' ability and confidence in performing the complete task in an airway simulation laboratory.
METHOD
A half-day course was developed to train otolaryngology residents in pediatric airway endoscopy for foreign body retrieval. This complex psychomotor skill was deconstructed into smaller task parts. Training was directed towards gaining competency in each component part of: understanding tracheobronchial anatomy, ability to adequately visualize the larynx with laryngoscopy, proficiency in flexible and rigid bronchoscopy, and familiarity with foreign body instrumentation. Residents were objectively evaluated on their ability to perform the complete task on a simulator before and after the course using an objective assessment of technical skills (OSATS) grading system. Confidence in successfully assembling the instruments and completing the task was assessed at these time periods.
RESULTS
Seventeen otolaryngology residents completed the study. Improvement was measured in multiple OSAT parameters. Confidence in one's ability to assemble the instruments and to perform the complete task increased by an average of 81% and 43% respectively (p<.01).
CONCLUSION
The complex psychomotor task of airway foreign body retrieval can be deconstructed into smaller task parts that can be independently taught to effectively teach this complex skill. This curriculum produced significant improvement in residents' ability and confidence and is easily reproducible for future simulation training.