Applying the scene reappearance-based learning (SRBL) method in medical humanities training in the context of anesthesiology residency

Abstract

Background To propose the novel scene reappearance-based learning method (SRBL) method for education in the medical humanities and to investigate whether this method can be used to curb the negative medical humanistic behavior of anesthesia residents effectively in the context of the assessment of block levels during spinal-epidural anesthesia. Methods Based on video recordings, we retrospectively found that anesthesia residents employed the negative humanistic behavior of nipping patients' skin with their fingers to assess block levels during spinal-epidural anesthesia. We further investigated the incidence of such negative behavior among residents, reconstructed the scene for all residents using video recordings, and guided the residents in a discussion of what behavior is appropriate in the context of the medical humanities in this scenario using simulation and roleplaying exercises. Results Among the 25 residents included in this training base, 18 used the same method of nipping the patient’s skin to assess block levels during spinal-epidural anesthesia. Through discussion, these 25 students reached consensus regarding ways of respecting patients’ humanistic feelings when assessing block levels during spinal-epidural anesthesia. Once these measures were implemented, the negative humanistic behavior of nipping the patient’s skin was eliminated in the training base within 3 months. Conclusions This paper proposes a method of medical humanities education for anesthesia residents that we call SRBL, which is administered during the assessment of block levels during spinal-epidural anesthesia and can quickly curb the negative medical humanistic behavior exhibited by anesthesia residents.