title: Comparison of three simulation-based training methods for management of medical emergencies.
abstract: Trainee medical officers (TMOs) participated in a study comparing three methods of simulation-based training to treat medical emergencies occurring in a hospital setting. The methods were: All groups had the same total teaching time. Participants (n=61) had an initial (pre-training) assessment by written tests, self assessment and simulations of medical emergencies ('VT' and 'HYPOglycaemia'). Participants were tested again post-training using similar simulations to the initial scenario and a new scenario ('ANAphylaxis'). Trained 'experts', blinded to the teaching group of participants, watched video-CDs of the simulations to assess participants' performance. All groups demonstrated increased knowledge and confidence (pre-training scores compared to post-training) but no differences could be detected between the three groups. In simulated emergencies, post-training scores were also improved. There was no difference between groups in the 'HYPO' scenario but in the 'VT' scenario there was moderate evidence that Group 3 was superior. In the 'ANA' scenario, Group 3 had far better test scores, especially in behavioural items. There did not appear to be any significant advantage of using whole body manikins over CSBT and simple part-task trainers. Full-mission simulation training helped develop the ability to recognise when skills learnt to manage one type of medical emergency can be useful in managing another emergency not previously encountered.
authors.affiliation: Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. harry.owen@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mugford
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Follows
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Plummer
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins