Can Increased Medical Competence Reduce State Anxiety in Junior Doctors in the Emergency Department?

This randomized controlled trial investigates whether an adaptive e-learning program on acute and time critical medical conditions can reduce state anxiety and improve the competence of junior doctors working in emergency departments. Junior doctors assigned to frontline shifts will be enrolled and randomized into two groups: an intervention group receiving the e-learning program within the first six weeks of employment and a control group receiving standard onboarding with delayed access to the program. The primary outcome is the change in state anxiety levels, assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Secondary outcomes include perceived self-efficacy during shifts and self-assessed competency improvements.

Inclusion Criteria: * Junior residents in front- or middle-level shifts in emergency departments across the Capital Region of Denmark. * Employed between January 1, 2025, and April 31, 2025. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior exposure to the adaptive e-learning program. * Denying participation.