Interactive scenario-based training on sexual misconduct

INTRODUCTION The Orthopaedic Trauma Society commissioned an interactive session for education in the challenging subject of sexual misconduct. This originated from the publication of a survey of the UK surgical workforce and the Breaking the Silence report. These were published by the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery, which has participated in a movement towards changing culture and regulation in healthcare. The education session aimed to engage participants by promoting curiosity and preparedness, equipping participants with familiarity around common areas of fearfulness and misinformation. A session incorporating participants across a wide range of seniority was valuable for exposure to challenges seen from different perspectives. METHODS The one-hour session included a presentation of published data, a scenario-based discussion and then a series of videos to facilitate further discussion, presenting alternative points of view as real-time interaction. The surrounding discussion was guided by the author as session facilitator, using participants’ contributions to shape the conversation. Interaction occurred through the Mentimeter anonymous interactive tool (Stockholm, Sweden) and real-time discussion, with the opportunity to ask public and private questions. Mentimeter was also used to assess participants’ self-reported understanding. RESULTS Responses suggested a relatively high level of self-assessed awareness in participants. There was an apparent improvement in self-reported understanding of effectiveness, moving into the category of greatest confidence (“I understand how I might help”). CONCLUSIONS An effective training model may incorporate a face-to-face component, adopting a trauma-informed approach, and structured to constructively incorporate a range of attitudes and experiences.