Pivot and Persist: A Technical Report on Adapting an Existing Multi-Institutional Bootcamp to a Hybrid Platform

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted most in-person simulation training, including established simulation-based medical bootcamps. These sessions are important for the preparation of new trainees to think critically about common clinical scenarios, practice technical skills, and optimize leadership, teamwork, and communication. Having the opportunity to hone these skills in a safe environment is instrumental for the development of trainees' confidence and professional identity formation, and may contribute to patient safety. When the annual New England/Mid-Atlantic regional first-year neonatology fellows' bootcamp was jeopardized by COVID restrictions, we implemented a novel approach to adapt the existing in-person format and curriculum for large-scale hybrid delivery. The resultant two-day session was well-received by both participants and facilitators. Important lessons from this experience, including adaptions to the curriculum, schedule, simulation interface and hybrid platform, are relevant to educators seeking to conduct large-scale virtual simulation-based educational sessions.

Keywords: bootcamp; fellow; neonatal; simulation; virtual.

Figure 1. Simulated participant in a simulation room awaiting the instructions of the medical team via Zoom.

Figure 2. Simulated participant in a simulation room performing the desired clinical interventions of the medical team via Zoom.

Figure 3. Faculty member conducting onsite procedural training.