Neuro-critical care skills training using a human patient simulator.
BACKGROUND
Neurosurgical trainees regularly encounter critical care situations. Traditionally, education was accomplished through lecture and experience. Increasingly, human patient simulators (HPS) are employed, allowing trainees to sharpen skills in a safe and realistic environment. We describe our experience using HPS in neurosurgical training.


METHODS
We developed a critical care training program for residents and medical students using HPS. We used a hi-fidelity, lifelike Human Patient Simulator™ (HPS™) produced by Medical Education Technologies, Inc.™ to simulate realistic scenarios for trainee education. Topics included spinal shock, closed head injury, and cerebral vasospasm. A three-way evaluation model was employed to test validity, including pre- and post-exercise testing, survey feedback, and videotaped replay. The simulation exercises were conducted by a neuro-critical care attending, a senior neurosurgical resident, and a HPS technician.


RESULTS
We currently have 29 participants. On a 20-point critical care multiple-choice exam for these participants, average improvement has been 4.5 points or 25%. In subgroup analysis, average improvement was 4.75 points (24%) amongst neurosurgery residents, 3.07 points (18%) amongst neurology residents, 7 points (38%) amongst general surgery residents, and 7 points (38%) amongst senior medical students. Post-exercise evaluations were overwhelmingly positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurosurgical critical care education is important for safe and effective care for patients. Clinical experience and didactic lectures help trainees obtain a solid knowledge base, but do not provide the benefit for learning in a fail-safe environment. Through the use of HPS, we have enhanced the critical care education of our trainees.
Musacchio
Michael J
MJ
Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Ave, Suite 1115, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Smith
Adam P
AP
McNeal
Christopher A
CA
Munoz
Lorenzo
L
Rothenberg
David M
DM
von Roenn
Kelvin A
KA
Byrne
Richard W
RW
D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D004501:Education, Medical; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D008348:Manikins; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods