MP26: The simulated newsroom: a novel educational intervention to teach advocacy skills to resident physicians

Abstract

Innovation Concept: Advocacy is a key competency of Canadian residency education, yet physicians seldom engage with supra-clinical advocacy efforts upon completion of training. Emergency medicine (EM) residency training may not equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to engage as physician-advocates in their communities. Focused writing workshops may increase the confidence and ability of EM trainees to engage as health advocates. Methods: Following a literature review, simulated newsroom workshops were developed by two EM physicians with graduate-level journalism training and workplace experience. Participants were invited to participate in an audio-recorded focus-group and to submit their opinion editorial. Twelve participants registered for the workshops and six attended both sessions and the focus group; four submitted written work. Focus group transcripts and written work were qualitatively analysed to understand acceptability, feasibility, and how students might engage as future health advocates. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: The simulated newsroom consisted of participants acting as journalists and the expert facilitator acting as a news editor. The first workshop provided a framework for news judgement in a didactic session, followed by interactive exercises including: prioritization of news pitches, a simulated editorial meeting, and analysis of published news articles. The participants then drafted their own pitches for in situ feedback from peers and facilitators. Two-weeks later, participants brought their completed articles for peer and expert review before submitting their final article. Conclusion: The innovation bolstered resident physician confidence in advocacy through the popular press, and provided demonstrable skills in opinion writing. Participants felt challenged to develop compelling narratives and differentiate this form of advocacy communication from academic writing or prior media training. Participants valued the workshop as a voluntary component of residency education led by peer experts. Through their writing, residents demonstrated an understanding of structural factors that impact patient health and health systems. Future engagement as physician advocates may be tempered by fears of professional repercussions for public engagement; the impact of physician advocacy on population health outcomes is not yet known.