Improving Resident Education & Comfort of Key Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Topics

Background

Patients admitted to the Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant (HOT) unit often have specific needs and challenges which are often not encountered in other rotations. Unfamiliarity with the patient population and unit-specific knowledge and procedures have occasionally led to adverse outcomes as well as patient morbidity and mortality. Residents have reported knowledge gaps for HOT unit specific topics and expressed interest in both formal and informal didactic opportunities to improve patient care.

Objective

This is a quality improvement project designed to improve overall resident comfort levels in hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant topics during residents' rotation in the HOT unit.

Design/Methods

We designed a “bingo” card of high yield topics that residents would likely encounter in the HOT unit. Paper copies were provided to residents in the beginning of their rotation. QR codes with copies of the “bingo” cards were also placed throughout the unit. Both resident and faculty were educated about the intervention and encouraged to utilize the cards during and after morning rounds. Whenever a topic was discussed, the corresponding box on the “bingo” card was marked as completed and signed by a faculty member. Residents turned in the “bingo” cards at the end of the rotation. A subsequent survey of resident perceived knowledge and comfort level with key topics and concepts on a 10-point Likert scale was conducted at the end of the rotation. We then conducted a pre-post analysis comparing resident knowledge of key topics before the rotation with their comfort and knowledge after the rotation. We additionally conducted a retrospective survey of resident who completed the rotation before the introduction of the “bingo” card to assess the utility of the intervention.

Results

Residents reported the greatest improvement in knowledge and management scores (5-6) on topics they were unlikely to encounter in other rotations such as Oncologic emergencies, Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and Engraftment Syndrome as compared to cross-disciplinary topics like pain, nausea and decreased food intake (3-4). There were no differences found in the knowledge scores of residents who completed the rotation prior the introduction of the “bingo” card intervention. Residents who completed the rotation post intervention however reported finding the intervention helpful to their learning (80%).

Conclusion

Resident knowledge and comfort of key Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant topics improves after their rotation. This is particularly salient on topics that are not covered in other rotations. Introduction of a “bingo” card to promote learning was successful in engaging residents and helping them learn.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.