title: Teaching without a teacher: developing competence with a Bullard laryngoscope using only a structured self-learning course and practicing on a mannequin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To show that a complex motor skill can be taught without requiring active expert faculty participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Simulation laboratory of an academic anesthesiology department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Novice users of the Bullard laryngoscope, predominantly residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Novice Bullard users were presented with a PowerPoint presentation using text and pictures describing the use of the Bullard. The learners were also provided with a Bullard laryngoscope and a mannequin on which to practice. Self-learning time was not restricted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Learners decided for themselves when they were competent and ready for competency assessment. The assessment tool was a checklist of essential steps developed by faculty experienced in Bullard laryngoscopy. The primary end-point was successful intubation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All learners were deemed competent. The mean self-learning time was 14.1 minutes (SD, 3.1 min; range, 9.2-21.0 min). All subjects indicated a high level of satisfaction with the learning technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teaching a complex motor skill with no expert instruction is possible.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. lpott@psu.edu
authors: Leonard M
authors: LM
authors: Pott
authors: Dale
authors: D
authors: Santrock
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008348:Manikins; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*