Theme
Simulators and Simulation
Category
Simulation
INSTITUTION
Ross University School of Medicine
Medical simulation is a valuable tool that allows students to learn in a practical and safe environment. Students have been shown to value the experience of using their knowledge in this safe but realistic setting. In this simulation we are combining the traditional use of simulation to teach practical airway management skills with the added benefit of reinforcing basic science knowledge. The goal of this simulation is to reinforce the teaching of the anatomy of the head and neck to second semester medical students. This simulation demonstrates basic airway management including the airway devices, their use, advantages, and contraindications. Anatomical landmarks as it relates to placement, advantages and disadvantages of these devices was also reinforced.
These results show student improvement of understanding of airway management post simulation. Students maintained their airway management skills after simulation as evidenced by high final exam scores on airway portion of OSCE final
Simulation helped students retain knowledge of head and neck anatomy and airway management clinical skills.Trending of the data demonstrates enhanced knowledge retention in the simulation cohort. More study is needed in order to learn more about which students are representative of this observation such as academic standing, gender, undergraduate preparation, prior medical experience etc.
Although we feel that students’ knowledge of anatomy was reinforced more data is needed to confirm long-term knowledge and skill retention. Our future goals are to compare historically data on students performance on head and neck anatomy questions on the Mini and final exams before the joint Anatomy/IME simulation to results after the simulation was implemented.
Prior to the simulation session students were given a lecture and mandatory dissection/demonstration of head and neck anatomy. Prior to participation in the simulation students were asked to complete a pre test MCQ test on the simulation. During the simulation activity groups of 8 students were given instruction and practical experience using several airways including: nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), oropharyngeal airway (OPA), Laryngeal mask airway (LMA).laryngeal (King) tube and endotracheal tube. Students were asked to complete a post simulation survey and finally were assessed using MCQs on the Mini and final exams. In addition there was an OSCE station assessing clinical skills learned in the simulation.
Data from September 2010 through May 2011 was evaluated. 886 Students achieved average MCQ scores of 73.8% in summative exams from 2011 compared to pre-simulation formative test average score of 52%. 617 student tested achieved an average of 96% on summative simulation OSCE final examinations in January and May 2011
We would like to thank members of the Anatomy department of Ross University School of Medicine
1. Weller JM, Simulation in undergraduate medical education: bridging the gap between theory and practice. Med Edu; 2004; 38:32-38
2. Ziv A, Wolpe PR, Small SD, Glick S. Simulation based medical education: An ethical imperative. Acad Med; 78(8) 783-788