Long-term retention of central venous catheter insertion skills after simulation-based mastery learning.
BACKGROUND
Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion improves trainee skill and patient care. How long skills are retained is unknown.


METHODS
This is a prospective cohort study. Subjects completed SBML and were required to meet or exceed a minimum passing score (MPS) for CVC insertion on a posttest. Skills were retested 6 and 12 months later and compared with posttest results to assess skill retention.


RESULTS
Forty-nine of 61 (80.3%) subjects completed follow-up testing. Although performance declined from posttest where 100% met the MPS for CVC insertion, 82.4% to 87.1% of trainees passed the exam and maintained their high performance up to one year after training.


CONCLUSIONS
Skills acquired from SBML were substantially retained during one year. Individual performance cannot be predicted, so programs should use periodic testing and refresher training to ensure competence.
Barsuk
Jeffrey H
JH
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. jbarsuk@nmh.org
Cohen
Elaine R
ER
McGaghie
William C
WC
Wayne
Diane B
DB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional