Background

Practical knowledge in transfusion medicine is essential for physicians to safely administer blood products to patients and to navigate the legal and ethical considerations involved. The "Arbeitskreis Blut" of the Robert-Koch institute claimed to intensify teaching of practical skills in medical education to reduce the rate of transfusion-associated errors or mistaken identity. Therefore, a training session was implemented into the curriculum of the medical degree course (8th semester).

Methods

In line with the national catalogue of learning objectives, a structured curriculum was developed to provide training in blood transfusion skills focussing on red blood cell concentrates bearing the highest risk of serious adverse events in case of handling mistakes. In addition, it was an important prerequisite to base the training on clinical cases and to provide authentic material required for the performance of blood transfusions.

Results

A protocol has been established for the preparation of "red blood cell concentrates" using artificial blood-like fluids to ensure an adequate supply of "blood products". In a new 90-minute training session called TIMMY ("Transfusionsmedizin-Training mit Dummys"), students learn how to order blood products using an original order sheet and how to supply a fictitious patient with red blood cell concentrates. The practical aspects included the comparison of the accompanying sheet with the blood product, the performance of the bed-side test and the fixation of the transfusion system. Medical technologists supervised the students in addition to physicians.

Conclusion

The novel practical lesson provides the opportunity for all students in human medicine to work with original material and to obtain first experience in basic rules of blood transfusion. The use of dummys avoids limitations caused by the shortage of real blood products and reduces the risk of infection. The concept is regularly evaluated by the students for amendments and designed for the transfer to other universities.

Offenlegung Interessenkonflikt:

The project is supported by the foundation "Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre", referring to the announcement "Freiraum 2022" (project number FRFMM-430/2022).

The authors have no other conflicts of interests to declare.