O2108: Feasibility of Experiential Consistency Within an Interfacility Transport Medicine Rotation

Purpose/Objectives: Within our Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program, first-year fellows participate in a 2-week rotation focused on interfacility transport medicine. Over the years, factors inherent to the ad hoc nature of transport team activation, have resulted in considerable experiential variation within this rotation. In an attempt provide a more consistent educational experience across all trainees, a feasibility project was implemented.

Design/Methods: Key stakeholders were involved in the planning of curricular revision. A needs assessment survey was distributed to the pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) faculty, fellows and transport team members. Data collected included individual demographics as well as perspectives surrounding components of both a successful interfacility transport and a rich educational experience. High yield topics were then selected and incorporated into standardized educational sessions within each 2-week rotation.

Results: All respondents (n=53) rated the transport rotation as highly important for a future PCCM attending. One of the five surveyed first-year fellows had prior experience with interfacility transport.

The qualitative themes that emerged regarding success of a provider on transport centered around decision making, teamwork, and adaptability. These key themes were incorporated into two interprofessional simulation sessions within each rotation. Additionally, identified high yield topics, including: (a) traditional and ultrasound-guided vascular access, (b) discussion of challenging transports, (c) respiratory modality options for transport, and (d) dedicated time in the transport communication center, were incorporated as discrete educational sessions.

First year fellows completed 80% of curricular components with missed items attributable to interfacility transport experiences. All fellows completed the two simulation sessions including a facilitated debrief with the interdisciplinary team.

Conclusion/Discussion: There was consensus among PCCM section members that a transport medicine rotation was important for future critical care faculty. Despite the inherent variation within interfacility transport team activations, it is feasible to provide consistent exposure to consensus identified high-yield educational topics within a 2-week rotation. Future goals include refinement of the simulation cases, clarification of specific components of difficult transports, and post-fellowship survey to determine applicability to future practice.