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Background Dyad learning has been shown to be an effective tool for teaching procedural skills, but little is known about how dyad learning may impact the stress, anxiety, and cognitive load that a student experiences when learning in this manner. In this pilot study, we investigate the relationship between dyad training on stress, anxiety, cognitive load, and performance in a simulated bradycardia scenario. Methods Forty-one fourth-year medical school trainees were randomized as dyads (n = 24) or individuals (n = 17) for an education session on day 1. Reassessment occurred on day 4 and was completed as individuals for all trainees. Primary outcomes were cognitive load (Paas scale), stress (Cognitive Appraisal Ratio), and anxiety levels (abbreviated State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Secondary outcomes were time-based performance metrics. Results On day 1 we observed significant differences for change in anxiety and stress measured before and after the training scenario between groups. Individuals compared to dyads had larger mean increases in anxiety, (19.6 versus 7.6 on 80-point scale, p = 0.02) and stress ratio (1.8 versus 0.9, p = 0.045). On the day 4 post-intervention assessment, no significant differences were observed between groups. Secondary outcomes were significant for shorter time to diagnosis of bradycardia (p = 0.01) and time to initiation of pacing (p = 0.04) in the dyad group on day 1. On day 4, only time to recognizing the indication for pacing was significantly shorter for individual training (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.26, p = 0.02). Conclusions Dyad training results in lower stress and anxiety levels with similar performance compared to individual training.

While many hospitalized patients have orders to fast in preparation for interventions, the extent to which these orders are necessary or adhere to evidence-based durations is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the length, indication, and associated outcomes of nil per os (NPO) orders for general medicine patients at an academic institution in the United States, and compared them to the best available evidence for recommended length of NPO. Of 924 NPO orders assessed, the indicated intervention was not performed for 183 (19.8%) orders, largely due to a change in plan (75/183, 41.0%) or scheduling barriers (43/183, 23.5%). When analyzed by indication, the median duration of NPO orders ranged from 8.3 hours for kidney ultrasound to 13.9 hours for upper endoscopy. For some indications, the literature suggested NPO orders may be unnecessary. Furthermore, in indications for which NPO was deemed necessary in the literature, the duration of most NPO orders was much longer than minimally required. These results suggest the need for establishing more robust practice guidelines or institutional protocols for NPO orders. Frequent and prolonged fasting can lead to patient dissatisfaction and distress. 1 It may also cause malnutrition and negatively affect outcomes in high-risk populations such as the elderly. 2 Evidence suggests that patients are commonly kept fasting longer than necessary. 3,4 However, the extent to which nil per os (NPO) orders are necessary or adhere to evidence-based duration is unknown.Our study showed half of patients admitted to the general medicine services experienced a period of fasting, and 1 in 4 NPO orders may be avoidable. 5 In this study, we aimed to provide action-oriented recommendations by 1) assessing why some interventions did not occur after NPO orders were placed and 2) analyzing NPO orders by indication and comparing them with the best available evidence. METHODSThis retrospective study was conducted at an academic medical center in the United States. The study protocol was approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board.Detailed data handling and NPO order review processes have been described elsewhere. 5 Briefly, we identified 1200 NPO orders of 120 or more minutes' duration that were written for patients on the general medicine services at our institution in 2013. After blinded duplicate review, we excluded 70 orders written in the intensive care unit or on other services, 24 with unknown indications, 101 primarily indicated for clinical reasons, and 81 that had multiple indications. Consequently, 924 orders indicated for a single intervention (eg, imaging study, procedure, or operation) were included in the main analysis.We assessed if the indicated intervention was performed. If performed, we recorded the time when the intervention was started. If not performed, we assessed reasons why it was not performed. We also performed exploratory analyses to investigate factors associated with performing the indicated intervention. The variables were 1) NPO starting at midnight, 2) ...

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