A longitudinal study of internal medicine residents' retention of advanced cardiac life support skills.
BACKGROUND
Internal medicine residents must be competent in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) for board certification. Traditional ACLS courses have limited ability to enable residents to achieve and maintain skills. Educational programs featuring reliable measurements and improved retention of skills would be useful for residency education.


METHODS
We developed a training program using a medical simulator, small-group teaching and deliberate practice. Residents received traditional ACLS education and subsequently participated in four two-hour educational sessions using the simulator. Resident performance in six simulated ACLS scenarios was assessed using a standardized checklist.


RESULTS
After the program, resident ACLS skill improved significantly. The cohort was followed prospectively for 14 months and the skills did not decay.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a simulation-based educational program enabled us to achieve and maintain high levels of resident performance in simulated ACLS events. Given the limitations of traditional methods to train, assess and maintain competence, simulation technology can be a useful adjunct in high-quality ACLS education.
Wayne
Diane B
DB
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, 251 E. Huron Street, Galter 3-150, Chicago, Illinois 60011, USA. dwayne@northwestern.edu
Siddall
Viva J
VJ
Butter
John
J
Fudala
Monica J
MJ
Wade
Leonard D
LD
Feinglass
Joe
J
McGaghie
William C
WC
D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008348:Manikins; D013997:Time Factors