Screen-Based Anesthesia Simulation With Debriefing Improves Performance in a Mannequin-Based Anesthesia Simulator

• Published in: Teaching and learning in medicine 2001, Vol.13 (2), p.92-96
• Main Authors: Schwid, Howard A., Rooke, G. Alec, Michalowski, Piotr, Ross, Brian K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesiology - education; Computer Simulation; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Education, Medical - methods; Educational Measurement; Humans; Manikins; Schools, Medical; Software; User-Computer Interface; Washington
• ISSN: 1040-1334; 1532-8015
• DOI: 10.1207/S15328015TLM1302_4

Background: Previous investigations have established the need for improved training for management of anesthetic emergencies. Training with inexpensive screen-based anesthesia simulators may prove to be helpful. Purposes: We measured the effectiveness of screen-based simulator training with debriefing on the response to simulated anesthetic critical incidents. Methods: Thirty-one 1st-year clinical anesthesia residents were randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group handled 10 anesthetic emergencies using the screen-based anesthesia simulator program and received written feedback on their management, whereas the traditional (control) group was asked to study a handout covering the same 10 emergencies. All residents then were evaluated on their management of 4 standardized scenarios in a mannequin-based simulator using a quantitative scoring system. Results: The average point score for the simulator-with-debriefing group was 52.6 +/- 9.9 out of 95 possible points. The traditional group average point score was 43.4 +/- 5.9, p =. 004. Conclusions: Residents who managed anesthetic problems using a screen-based anesthesia simulator handled the emergencies in a mannequin-based anesthesia simulator better than residents who were asked to study a handout covering the same problems. Computer simulations with feedback are effective as a supplement to traditional residency training methods for the management of medical emergencies.