Acute neurology simulation-based training boosts confidence and reduces anxiety in novice neurology residents and nursing staff

Neurological emergencies pose a considerable challenge in emergency departments, with common misdiagnoses and delayed care. Given the growing role of neurology residents in emergency settings, targeted training is crucial. The Israeli-Neurological-Association(INA) has implemented a national Simulation-Based Medical Education(SBME) program for Post-Graduate-Year-2 neurology residents and nursing staff. This study aims to delineate the educational initiative and evaluate participant satisfaction, readiness, and anxiety levels. This study included all individuals participating in the SBME training program from January2020- April2024. The curriculum involved five alternating scenarios(acute stroke, acute coma, meningoencephalitis, status epilepticus, and acute non-traumatic-weakness) using computer-enhanced mannequins and live actors. Following each scenario, a skilled instructor facilitated a debriefing session to consolidate knowledge acquisition. Participants used VAS scales and the validated State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory-6(STAI-6) questionnaires to assess satisfaction, general anxiety, and self-readiness before and after simulations. 79 medical professionals across 11 medical centers in Israel participated in the training. The cohort comprised 75.9% PGY-2 neurology residents and 24.1% nurses with varying clinical experience (range 0.2–22 years), mean age 33.94 years, and 55.7% female. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed participants’ self-assessed readiness levels to identify and manage neurological emergencies increased (Z=-5.24,Z=-5.63,p < 0.001,respectively). Participants’ anxiety levels, as measured by both general anxiety and the STAI-6questionnaire, decreased post-intervention (Z=-3.44,p = 0.001and Z=-5.13,p < 0.001,respectively). The multidisciplinary SBME training program for handling acute neurological emergencies enhanced participants’ self-readiness, confidence in managing such cases and reduced anxiety among medical staff. These results underscore the significance of integrating SBME into neurology training programs, with potential positive implications for physician well being, clinical performance and patient care.