Effectiveness evaluation of standardized patient training system on emergency department residents in disposing patients with acute chest pain.

backgroundRapid triage and effective treatment of patients with acute chest pain are critical. Enhancing the clinical competency of emergency resident physicians in managing these patients has emerged as a key challenge in contemporary clinical education.

methodsEmergency department resident physicians were divided into two groups in 2022-2023. After receiving either traditional lecture-based training or standardized patient (SP) training, we assessed whether there was an improvement in the physicians' clinical competency in managing chest pain patients, and whether the time-to-treatment was reduced.

resultsFollowing SP training, resident physicians showed statistically significant improvements in physical exam (p = 0.036), management and treatment (p = 0.002), and total scores (p = 0.016). However, no significant differences were observed in history-talking (p = 0.941), differential diagnosis (p = 0.336), laboratory test (p = 0.523) and diagnosis (p = 0.131). Furthermore, the time required for residents to complete point-of-care testing (POCT) cardiac troponin I (cTnI), establish final diagnosis, and activate the catheterization laboratory was significantly reduced.

conclusionFollowing SP training, resident physicians improved their abilities in physical examination, management and treatment of patients with acute chest pain, and less time was spend compared to the physicians without SP training. The use of SP and the generalization of this training technique is recommended, particularly in resident physicians in emergency department where more timely treatment of patients is required.