Screen-based anesthesia simulation with debriefing improves performance in a mannequin-based anesthesia simulator.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Schwid
H A
HA
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 663/112A, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA. hschwid@u.washington.edu
Rooke
G A
GA
Michalowski
P
P
Ross
B K
BK
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014861:Washington