title: Computer-based simulation training in emergency medicine designed in the light of malpractice cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Using computer-based simulation systems in medical education is becoming more and more common. Although the benefits of practicing with these systems in medical education have been demonstrated, advantages of using computer-based simulation in emergency medicine education are less validated. The aim of the present study was to assess the success rates of final year medical students in doing emergency medical treatment and evaluating the effectiveness of computer-based simulation training in improving final year medical students' knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four Students trained with computer-based simulation and completed at least 4 hours of simulation-based education between the dates Feb 1, 2010 - May 1, 2010. Also a control group (traditionally trained, n =24) was chosen. After the end of training, students completed an examination about 5 randomized medical simulation cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5 cases, an average of 3.9 correct medical approaches carried out by computer-based simulation trained students, an average of 2.8 correct medical approaches carried out by traditionally trained group (t = 3.90, p < 0.005). We found that the success of students trained with simulation training in cases which required complicated medical approach, was statistically higher than the ones who didn't take simulation training (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-based simulation training would be significantly effective in learning of medical treatment algorithms. We thought that these programs can improve the success rate of students especially in doing adequate medical approach to complex emergency cases.
authors: Department of Medical Education, Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine, Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey. akan.karakus@omu.edu.tr.
authors: Akan
authors: A
authors: Karakuş
authors: Latif
authors: L
authors: Duran
authors: Yücel
authors: Y
authors: Yavuz
authors: Levent
authors: L
authors: Altintop
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Calişkan
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004630:Emergencies; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014584:User-Computer Interface