Impact of Standardized Multidisciplinary Critical Care Training on Confidence with Critical Illness and Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Education and Multidisciplinary Care

Abstract

Introduction

The Fundamental Critical Care Support Course (FCCS) is a standardized multidisciplinary program designed to educate participants on the basics of identification and management of patients with critical illness. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of FCCS participation on confidence in the assessment and management of critically ill patients and attitudes towards multidisciplinary education and interprofessional care in a multidisciplinary group of participants.

Methods

Participants enrolled in the FCCS course from May 2018 to November 2019 were solicited to participate in a series of surveys evaluating their course experience and confidence in critical care. Attitudes towards multidisciplinary education and interprofessional care were evaluated using the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised Instrument version 2 (SPICE-R2) tool. A prospective pre- and post-design with a self-report survey including retrospective pre-training assessment and a 3-month follow-up was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statics and non-parametric methods.

Results

321 (97.9%) of the course participants enrolled in the study and completed the confidence survey and SPICE-R2 tool pre-course. Nurses (113, 35.4%) and physicians (110, 34.4%) made up the largest groups of participants, although physician assistants and paramedics were also well represented. Confidence in recognition and management of critical illness significantly improved across all studied domains after course completion, with the mean total confidence score improving from 32.96 pre-course to 41.10 post-course, P < 0.001. Attitudes towards multidisciplinary education and interprofessional care also improved (mean score 41.37 pre-course vs 42.71 post-course, P < 0.001), although pre-course numbers were higher than expected which limited the significance to only certain domains.

Discussion

In a multidisciplinary group, completion of FCCS training led to increased confidence in all aspects of critical illness measured. A modest increase in attitudes regarding multidisciplinary education and interprofessional care was also demonstrated. Further study is needed to assess whether this increased confidence translates to improvements in patient care and outcomes.