Mastery Learning in Communication Skills to Improve Milestone Performance and Burnout

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether mastery learning in communication skills can improve anesthesiology residents' abilities in a simulated environment and translate to better clinical performance and reduced burnout. The study focuses on key questions about skill improvement in simulations, milestone performance in clinical settings, and changes in burnout levels. It is a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial involving anesthesiology residents from five residency programs. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a mastery learning group receiving a simulation-based curriculum focused on difficult conversations, and a standard of care group relying on vicarious learning. This comparison will help researchers understand if mastery learning leads to better communication skills and outcomes. The study includes a one-year evaluation of communication skills, milestone performance over two years, and burnout levels over 1.5 years. During the study, participants will be assessed on their communication skills, milestone achievements, and burnout status at specified intervals. The researchers will use these measures to determine any differences between the two groups. The study is designed with quadruple masking and will include follow-up assessments to monitor changes over time. Participation involves regular evaluations and adherence to the assigned learning method over the study period.

Mastery Learning in Communication Skills