Medical Improvisation Study

NCT07355998 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 25-44724
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 10
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study offers improvisation training for otolaryngology residents to see if there is any impact on connection, stress, and mood. A control group of otolaryngology residents continues their standard medical education with no improvisation.

Conditions

Psychosocial Problem

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Connection: Social Connectiveness Scale

  Team dynamics and interpersonal connectedness are assessed using the Social Connectedness Scale. This is a custom survey developed specifically for this study to measure participants' sense of belonging and connection within the residency program. The scale consists of 5 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of connectedness (better outcome).

  6 weeks

• Clinical Decision Making Accuracy and Response Time

  Clinical decision-making under pressure is assessed using the "Intraoperative Vignettes" assessment. This is a computer-based cognitive test comprising 20 Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) case scenarios. Participants are presented with clinical scenarios and must select the correct management decision. The outcome is reported as a composite of accuracy (total number of correct responses) and response time (time taken to select an answer). Accuracy is scored from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating better clinical decision-making.

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Mood (PANAS)

  6 weeks

• Anxiety and Depression (DASS-21)

  6 weeks

• Intervention Satisfaction Score (Intervention Arm Only)

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Improvisation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Otolaryngology Residents taking Improvisation Training

Behavioral: Group Online Improvisation Training

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This control group of OHNS residents continues their standard medical education.

Other: Standard Medical Education

Interventions

Group Online Improvisation Training BEHAVIORAL

3 Online Group Improvisation Training classes led by a professional is offered every other week for 1 hour to the experimental cohort.

Improvisation Group

Standard Medical Education OTHER

OHNS residents continue the existing standard medical education.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Otolaryngology Resident at UCSF

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Francisco: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCSF

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Karen Barrett, PhD

  University of California, San Francisco

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A control arm features OHNS residents who continue their standard medical education. The intervention group features OHNS residents who participate in group improvisation training.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 2, 2026
• First Posted: January 21, 2026
• Study Start: November 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)