Simulation vs RISE UP: A Comparative Study of Approaches for Teaching Emergency Medicine Trainees How to Manage Microaggressions.

Abstract

Purpose: Microaggressions are discriminatory actions or words targeted at people for their perceived or expressed identities. The study aimed to address the critical need for training emergency medicine (EM) resident-physicians to manage microaggressions. The authors compared the effectiveness of the Realizing Inclusion and Systemic Equity in Medicine: Upstanding in the Medical Workplace (RISE UP) curriculum from Inova Children's Hospital and a simulation (SIM) curriculum created by a research team specifically for this study. The new SIM curriculum was guided by the original RISE UP curriculum but incorporates simulation as a learning tool. These 2 educational modalities were selected based upon previous literature showing their efficacy as tools in medical education.

Method: Through a collaboration with residency leadership, EM residents were recruited to participate in a comparison study in which they received either the RISE UP or newly created SIM curriculum as part of their regular simulation training. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed perceived knowledge on handling microaggressions. A follow-up survey was sent 1 month post-intervention to evaluate retention of self-reported knowledge.

Results: Out of 81 eligible residents, 69 residents participated: 37 in the new SIM curriculum group and 32 in the RISE UP curriculum group. Participants in both groups self-reported significant improvements in perceived knowledge immediately post-intervention. At the 1-month follow-up, both intervention groups retained higher levels of perceived knowledge. Additionally, while both curricula were effective, the RISE UP group showed slightly higher retention rates of self-reported knowledge compared with the SIM group, although this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Both the SIM and RISE UP curricula were effective in improving resident knowledge about handling workplace microaggressions, with participants in the RISE UP curriculum showing marginally better retention of skills. Implementing such educational programs may enhance workplace awareness and response to microaggressions among EM residents.