Simulation Training to Interrupt Microaggressions

Microaggressions in health care occur frequently and negatively impact the well-being of trainees. High-realism simulation can effectively train health care providers to communicate in emotionally difficult situations. In 2023, we developed and piloted 4 simulation scenarios for pediatric residents centered on addressing microaggressions in the clinical environment that built on an existing didactic curriculum. These scenarios included single and intersecting forms of oppression including racism, sexism, ableism, ethnocentrism, and weight bias. We also trained faculty, who had no prior simulation debriefing experience, to facilitate and debrief the simulation sessions. Thirty-three residents participated and reported an increase in confidence immediately following the simulation training; this increase was sustained at 3 months. Faculty participants reported increased empathy for residents, recognition of microaggressions, and confidence facilitating conversation after microaggressions that occur both in the simulated setting and in real life. High-realism simulation holds promise as a way to bridge the gap between classroom and real-life interruption of microaggressions, a necessary skill to improve the health care environment for learners and patients.