A medical escape room to build intern workplace social capital in an internal medicine residency program

Abstract

Purpose

Trainee well-being is a growing focus in graduate medical education. One emerging area in occupational literature is the psychosocial environment of the workplace, of which a large component is workplace social capital (WSC). WSC encompasses how well a group connects to one another. Medical escape rooms (MERs) recently have been studied in various healthcare settings and are one proposed intervention to increase WSC.

Methods

This is a single-center before-and-after survey study at the Loyola University Medical Center in 2021 to measure the effect of a MER on WSC amongst interns. Our Chief Resident created a 1-hour MER. WSC scores were measured using a modified version of a validated WSC scale. Scores were analyzed with paired t-test analysis and chi-square analysis. Open-ended feedback was also collected.

Results

Of 52 eligible intern residents, 51 (98%) participated in the MER, and 41 (80%) completed the pre- and post-activity survey. All six survey statements had a greater percentage of positive responses following the MER. The average score across all participants and questions was 4.66 out of 5 on the pre-survey, and 4.90 on the post-survey (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The MER significantly improved intern resident WSC scores, and proved a valuable addition to our curriculum.

Keywords:

• Education environment
• internal medicine
• medical education research
• simulation
• escape room
• workplace social capital

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Alexander Kasparie, Stephen Henrich, Nkiru Osude, Collette Kalal Williams, Stephen Morris, Stefanie Milner, and Poornima Oruganti for their role in testing the medical escape room activity.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Glossary

Workplace social capital (WSC): The network of relationships amongst co-workers which enables the workplace to function effectively. This term is also used to refer to the mutual trust and connectedness of a work group, which fosters a sense of support and belonging.

Medical escape room (MER): A medically based and themed activity for a group to work together to explore a space and solve mental and physical puzzles within a pre-determined time limit.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michelle D. Lundholm

Michelle Lundholm, MD, completed her internal medicine residency and Chief Residency at the Loyola University Medical Center in 2021 and is now an Endocrinology fellow at the Cleveland Clinic. Her interests include trainee wellness and logic puzzles.

Kevin P. Simpson

Kevin Simpson, MD, FACP, FCCP, is the Program Director (1996–) of the Loyola Internal Medicine residency program and a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care.

Laura Ozark

Laura Ozark, MD, is an Associate Program Director (2007–) and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Loyola University Medical Center. Her specific interests include simulation learning activities.