The impact of clinical uncertainty in the graduate medical education (GME) learning environment: A mixed-methods study.
Med Teach
; 44(10): 1100-1108, 2022 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35666840
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Uncertainty is ubiquitous in medicine. Studies link intolerance of uncertainty to burnout, ineffective communication, cognitive bias, and inappropriate resource use. Little is known about how uncertainty manifests in the clinical learning environment. We aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of uncertainty among residents and attendings.METHODS:
We conducted a mixed-methods study including a survey, semi-structured interviews, and ethnographic observations during rounds with residents and attendings at an academic medical center. The survey included three validated instruments Physicians' Reaction to Uncertainty Scale; Maslach Burnout Inventory 2-item; and Educational Climate Inventory.RESULTS:
35/60 (58%) of eligible residents and 14/21 (67%) attendings completed the survey. Residents reported higher anxiety due to uncertainty than attendings, higher concern about bad outcomes, and greater reluctance to disclose uncertainty to patients. Residents reported increased symptoms of burnout (p < .05). Perceiving the learning environment as more competitive correlated with reluctance to disclose uncertainty (r = -0.44; p < .01). Qualitative themes included recognizing and facing uncertainty, and consequences for the learning environment. Observations revealed senior clinicians have greater comfort acknowledging uncertainty.CONCLUSIONS:
Medical curricula should be developed to promote recognition and acknowledgement of uncertainty. Greater acknowledgement of uncertainty, specifically by attendings and senior residents, may positively impact the clinical learning environment.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Esgotamento Profissional
/
Internato e Residência
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article