Use of an airway management simulation to reinforce head and neck anatomy at Ross School of Medicine

Authors

Rose-Claire St. Hilaire
Diana Callender
Meredith Sacks
Sean Gnecco
Dave Pederson

Theme

Simulators and Simulation

Category

Simulation

INSTITUTION

Ross University School of Medicine

Background

 

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.

Conclusion

 

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. 

Take-home Messages

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.

Summary of Work

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. 

Summary of Results

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

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank  members of the Anatomy department of Ross University School of Medicine

References

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

Background
Conclusion
Take-home Messages
Summary of Work

Students receiving instruction on airway management

Summary of Results

Acknowledgement
References
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