Crisis Resource Management from edX

Research suggests that lack of crisis resource management skills in the healthcare profession result in at least 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. This course will arm you with the critical skills to effectively make decisions and manage teams in a crisis situation, especially teams of strangers—a common occurrence for many health workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The course provides real-life examples and simulations for medical professionals to practice these skills.

Crisis Resource Management (CRM) refers to the non-technical skills required for effective teamwork in a crisis situation. Based on lessons learned in the aviation industry, CRM can be applied in the health care setting and taught to practitioners to help teams to manage and prevent crises. This curriculum emphasizes shared decision-making and appropriate team management that crosses multiple disciplines and professions.

This course makes CRM concepts accessible, moving away from theoretical and abstract presentations of the topics. It also contextualizes medical experiences in real-life examples or simulations. The basic and more elaborate concepts of CRM and utility of non-technical skills have a broad application across global health care environments, a curriculum that often is not exposed to health care students, residents, and fellows.

The interactive format of this online course will allow us to explore cultural influences on these principles.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The history of crisis resource management in the context of the aviation industry
Factors that affect the performance of complex tasks (individual, team, environment)
The principles of crisis resource management in the health care environment

Identification of crisis resource management principles during simulation of health care crises
The controversies and evidence related to crisis resource management

The history of crisis resource management in the context of the aviation industry
Factors that affect the performance of complex tasks (individual, team, environment)
The principles of crisis resource management in the health care environment
Identification of crisis resource management principles during simulation of health care crises
The controversies and evidence related to crisis resource management

Syllabus

Introduction to Crisis Resource Management

History of Crisis Resource Management

Medical Errors in Crisis Resource Management

Preparation

Assess Yourself

Monitor Your Surroundings

Know Your Team

Anticipation

Balance Attention: Fixation Error

Balance Attention: Cognitive Load

Balance Attention: Cognitive Aids

Anticipate and Plan

Communication

Communication During Crisis

The 3Cs and Communicating Effectively

Call for Help Early

Share the Mental Model

Decision

Regain Situational Awareness

Organize to Team

Challenge Authority

Create Psychological Safety

Reflection

Curiosity

Team Reflection

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds on the work of the aviation industry to develop transferable skills in crisis mitigation

Emphasizes shared decision-making and a team management approach, building effective collaboration

Emphasizes the importance of non-technical skills and provides frameworks for understanding and practicing these skills

Provides an interactive format for exploring the course topics and real-life scenarios

Instructed by experts in the field, bringing real-world insights and credibility

Offers opportunities for self-reflection and team-based exercises to reinforce learning and skill development

Reviews summary

Highly rated crisis management for healthcare

Learners say "Crisis Resource Management" is an engaging, well-structured course that provides engaging instruction in crisis intervention. Many students appreciate the aviation industry examples provided as a unique approach to medical crisis response. The course is well-received by students outside the medical field as well, with recommendations that the life examples and real-life simulations would benefit students in any industry.

Highlights psychological safety as foundational to team communication and teamwork.

"The course was structured very well, with salient points and concepts marked for easier review."

"I also appreciated the emphasis on psychological safety as a foundation for effective communication and teamwork."

"This part of the workplace environment is not usually discussed or identified as a significant factor in interpersonal gaps in communication, but now I realize it is one of the main reasons why my workplace is underperforming."

Incorporates communication principles from aviation and healthcare industries.

"I learnt a lot about the many different ways to manage a crisis and the resources needed to manage a crisis."

"I loved to learn how two industries as distinct as Aviation and Healthcare can make the most of shared principles in communication."

"Although this course's theme is primarily on healthcare, I find that the lessons learnt here can be applied to almost any aspects of life when in a crisis."

Concepts are widely applicable to scenarios outside healthcare.

"I have just completed this course and work in another sector, not medicine."

"My initial expectations were to learn more about logistics and technicalities of the crisis management, but actual CRM course provided universal self, team, situational management in very thoughtful manner that I can use across multiple situations and multiple scenarios."

"I enjoyed this course very much primarily as an eye-opener towards enhanced operational or organizational planning and management, beneficial communication techniques and needed situational awareness, but particularly own self-awareness."

Some external resources have broken links or require payment to access.

"A lot of additional resources are either dead link or behind paywall."

"Hopefully, the additional resources are put into EdX own internal server/cloud for students to have unlimited access."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Crisis Resource Management with these activities:

Review Basic Medical Terminology

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Reviewing basic medical terminology will strengthen your foundation in understanding medical jargon used throughout the course.

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Identify a reputable source for medical terminology definitions.
Review a list of common medical terms, including their definitions and pronunciations.

CRM Drills

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Complete these exercises regularly to develop practical skills in crisis management and decision-making in a healthcare setting.

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Join an online forum or group dedicated to CRM.
Participate in online simulations or case studies that require you to apply CRM principles.
Practice decision-making exercises with your colleagues or family members, creating scenarios that reflect common healthcare emergencies.

Practice Communication Techniques

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Effective communication is crucial in healthcare settings. Guided tutorials will provide practical strategies for enhancing your communication skills.

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Search for online tutorials on effective communication in healthcare.
Watch videos and complete exercises to practice active listening, clear speech, and assertive communication.

Three other activities

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Develop a Crisis Management Plan

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Developing a crisis management plan will provide you with a structured framework for responding effectively to crises.

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Identify potential crisis scenarios relevant to your healthcare setting.
Establish roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for each scenario.
Create a document outlining the plan and distribute it to relevant stakeholders.

Facilitate a Simulation Debriefing

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Participating in simulation debriefings allows you to reflect on critical decision-making, practice communication, and reinforce learning.

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Organize a group of peers to participate in a simulation.
Run the simulation and facilitate a debriefing session after.
Lead the discussion, encourage feedback, and identify areas for improvement.

Contribute to the OpenSAFELY Platform

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By contributing to the OpenSAFELY platform, you will gain practical experience in data analysis and contribute to research on patient safety.

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Familiarize yourself with the OpenSAFELY platform and its goals.
Choose a project or task to contribute to, such as data cleaning or statistical analysis.
Collaborate with the OpenSAFELY team and other contributors.

Career center

Learners who complete Crisis Resource Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Emergency Physician

Emergency physicians work in hectic, high-stress environments that demand quick, strategic thinking. Skills such as decision-making, situational awareness, and communication are all vital for handling the diverse medical emergencies that these doctors encounter. Columbia University’s Crisis Resource Management course teaches the theory and practice of these skills, which will be invaluable for anyone pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine. It will help prepare you for the challenges of working in a high-stakes environment, while also imparting knowledge and skills directly relevant to the specific demands of the field.

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Physician Assistant

Physician assistants play a vital role in providing healthcare services, often working in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The knowledge and skills taught in the Crisis Resource Management course at Columbia University are directly relevant to the work of physician assistants, who frequently encounter and assist with critical situations. The course will equip you with the ability to make quick decisions, manage teams in emergency situations, and prioritize patient care, enhancing your ability to provide the best possible support to patients and colleagues.

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Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners provide a wide range of healthcare services and are often the primary caregivers for patients in various settings. The course in Crisis Resource Management is highly relevant for nurse practitioners, who need to be able to make quick decisions, manage teams, and prioritize patient care in challenging situations. The course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to effectively handle emergencies, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your patients.

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Registered Nurse

Registered nurses provide essential patient care in a variety of healthcare settings. The Crisis Resource Management course from Columbia University teaches critical skills that are directly applicable to the role of a registered nurse. The course will equip you with the ability to assess and manage crisis situations, communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, and coordinate care to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in managing and improving healthcare organizations. The knowledge and skills taught in Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course are beneficial for healthcare administrators, as they need to be able to make quick decisions, manage teams, and prioritize resources in order to ensure the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. The course will equip you with the tools necessary to handle crises effectively, ensuring the well-being of patients and staff.

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Paramedic

Paramedics provide critical emergency medical care in pre-hospital settings. TheCrisis Resource Management course at Columbia University directly addresses the unique challenges faced by paramedics in managing emergencies, including decision-making under pressure, team coordination, and effective communication. Through this course, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills that can significantly enhance your ability to provide life-saving care to patients in critical situations.

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Firefighter

Firefighters face dangerous and unpredictable situations on a regular basis, making crisis management skills essential for their safety and the safety of others. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course provides valuable training in decision-making, team coordination, and communication, all of which are crucial for firefighters navigating emergencies. The course will equip you with the skills needed to respond effectively to fires, accidents, and other critical incidents.

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Police Officer

Police officers work in dynamic and often dangerous situations, requiring them to make quick decisions and manage crises effectively. The Crisis Resource Management course at Columbia University offers valuable training in these areas, equipping police officers with the skills to navigate challenging situations safely and effectively. Through this course, you will gain insights into decision-making under pressure, team coordination, and communication, all of which are vital for police officers in maintaining public safety.

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Risk Manager

Risk managers play a crucial role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within organizations. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course provides valuable training in these areas, equipping risk managers with the skills needed to effectively manage risks and ensure the safety of their organizations. Through this course, you will gain knowledge in risk assessment, crisis planning, and communication, all of which are essential for risk managers in protecting their organizations from potential threats.

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Security Consultant

Security consultants help organizations develop and implement security measures to protect their assets and personnel. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course provides valuable training in these areas, equipping security consultants with the skills needed to effectively manage crises and ensure the safety of their clients. Through this course, you will gain knowledge in crisis planning, risk assessment, and communication, all of which are essential for security consultants in protecting their clients from potential threats.

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Disaster Relief Coordinator

Disaster relief coordinators play a critical role in managing and responding to disasters. The Crisis Resource Management course from Columbia University teaches practical skills directly applicable to disaster relief efforts. By taking this course, you'll gain knowledge and expertise in crisis planning, communication, and resource management, enabling you to make informed decisions and coordinate effective responses during disasters.

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Humanitarian Aid Worker

Humanitarian aid workers provide vital assistance to people affected by crises and disasters. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course offers valuable training in the skills needed to effectively navigate and manage humanitarian emergencies. Through this course, you'll gain knowledge in crisis response, communication, and resource allocation, equipping you to provide support and relief to those in need.

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Crisis Counselor

Crisis counselors provide emotional support and guidance to individuals and communities affected by crises. The Crisis Resource Management course from Columbia University will provide you with valuable knowledge and skills directly applicable to crisis counseling. By taking this course, you'll gain expertise in crisis intervention, communication, and self-care, enabling you to effectively support and empower individuals during challenging times.

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Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists work with legal professionals to understand and evaluate the behavior of individuals involved in legal proceedings. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course offers valuable training in crisis management skills that are directly relevant to forensic psychology. Through this course, you'll gain knowledge and expertise in crisis assessment, communication, and legal procedures, enabling you to provide informed evaluations and support to legal professionals.

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Public Health Emergency Manager

Public health emergency managers plan and coordinate responses to public health emergencies, such as pandemics and natural disasters. Columbia University's Crisis Resource Management course can provide valuable training in the skills needed to effectively manage public health emergencies. Through this course, you'll gain knowledge in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, enabling you to protect and support communities during times of crisis.

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