Psychosocial Problem
Conditions
Brief summary
This study offers improvisation training for otolaryngology residents to see if there is any impact on connection, stress, and mood. A control group of otolaryngology residents continues their standard medical education with no improvisation.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGroup Online Improvisation Training
3 Online Group Improvisation Training classes led by a professional is offered every other week for 1 hour to the experimental cohort.
OHNS residents continue the existing standard medical education.
Sponsors
University of California, San Francisco
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
A control arm features OHNS residents who continue their standard medical education. The intervention group features OHNS residents who participate in group improvisation training.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Otolaryngology Resident at UCSF
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Connection: Social Connectiveness Scale | 6 weeks | Team dynamics and interpersonal connectedness are assessed using the Social Connectedness Scale. This is a custom survey developed specifically for this study to measure participants' sense of belonging and connection within the residency program. The scale consists of 5 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of connectedness (better outcome). |
| Clinical Decision Making Accuracy and Response Time | 6 weeks | Clinical decision-making under pressure is assessed using the "Intraoperative Vignettes" assessment. This is a computer-based cognitive test comprising 20 Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) case scenarios. Participants are presented with clinical scenarios and must select the correct management decision. The outcome is reported as a composite of accuracy (total number of correct responses) and response time (time taken to select an answer). Accuracy is scored from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating better clinical decision-making. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety and Depression (DASS-21) | 6 weeks | Psychological distress is measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). This is a validated 21-item self-report instrument containing three subscales: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (7 items per subscale). Participants rate how much each statement applied to them over the past week on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (Did not apply to me at all) to 3 (Applied to me very much or most of the time). Subscale scores are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items and multiplying by 2. * Range: Each subscale ranges from 0 to 42. * Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater severity of symptoms (worse outcome). |
| Intervention Satisfaction Score (Intervention Arm Only) | 6 weeks | Participants in the intervention group complete an Intervention Satisfaction Survey to evaluate the curriculum and learner experience. This measure utilizes a Likert scale to assess participant feedback. Items are rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (Not true at all) to 5 (Completely true), with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction (better outcome). |
| Mood (PANAS) | 6 weeks | Mood is assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). This is a validated 20-item self-report questionnaire that measures two distinct dimensions of emotion: Positive Affect (10 items) and Negative Affect (10 items). Participants rate items on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Very slightly or not at all) to 5 (Extremely). Scores for each subscale range from 10 to 50. * Positive Affect: Higher scores represent higher levels of enthusiasm and energy (better outcome). * Negative Affect: Higher scores represent higher levels of subjective distress and unpleasurable engagement (worse outcome). |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKaren Barrett, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Outcome results
None listed