The Impact of a Critical Care Boot Camp on Procedural Competence: A Developing Country Experience

Background: Active engagement that involves deliberate practice and immediate feedback is essential in the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to perform procedures. In developing countries such as Jordan, intensive care unit (ICU) training varies across institutions and the concept of medical education utilizing boot camps is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of a 3-day ICU boot camp, on trainees’ knowledge, skill competence, and confidence in ICU procedures. Methods: A 3-day ICU boot camp developed by the Jordanian American Physician Society comprised of case-based lectures, and procedural skills sessions were held for trainees, on June 23–25, 2022, at the University of Jordan. A questionnaire assessing trainees’ knowledge, skill competence, and confidence in ICU procedures was developed and completed before and after the course. Results: Twenty-three trainees with a mean (±standard deviation) age of 34 (4) participated in the boot camp; 9% were females and 70% were anesthesia critical care fellowship trainees. The most common concern that trainees reported when performing ICU procedures was the performance of procedures under pressure ( n = 11, 48%). There was a significant improvement in trainees’ perception of their knowledge in general ICU care, chest tube insertion, cricothyrotomy, and tracheostomy. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in trainees’ perception of their practical skills in general ICU care, chest tube insertion, ultrasound-guided procedures, cricothyrotomy, and tracheostomy. Finally, a significant improvement in trainees’ confidence in managing difficult airways, chest tube insertion, mechanical ventilation, cricothyrotomy, and tracheostomy, was observed. Conclusion: Participation in the boot camp significantly improved trainees’ perception of knowledge, skill competence, and confidence in ICU procedures, which encourage the widespread implementation of boot camps in developing countries.