title: The acquisition and retention of urinary catheterisation skills using surgical simulator devices: teaching method or student traits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The acquisition of procedural skills is an essential component of learning for medical trainees. The objective of this study was to assess which teaching method of performing urinary catheterisation is associated with most efficient procedural skill acquisition and retention. We evaluated factors affecting acquisition and retention of skills when using simulators as adjuncts to medical training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two second year medical students were taught urinary catheter insertion using different teaching methods. The interactive group (n = 19) were taught using a lecture format presentation and a high fidelity human urinary catheter simulator. They were provided with the use of simulators prior to examination. The observer group (n = 12) were taught using the same method but without with simulator use prior to examination. The didactic group (n = 11) were taught using the presentation alone. Student characteristics such as hand dexterity and IQ were measured to assess for intrinsic differences. All students were examined at four weeks to measure skill retention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Catheter scores were significantly higher in the interactive group (p < 0.005). Confidence scores with catheter insertion were similar at index exam however were significantly lower in the didactic group at the retention testing (p < 0.05). Retention scores were higher in the interactive group (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between laparoscopy scores and time to completion with overall catheter score (p < 0.05). Teaching method, spatial awareness and time to completion of laparoscopy were significantly associated with higher catheter scores at index exam (p = 0.001). Retention scores at 4 weeks were significantly associated with teaching method and original catheter score (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of simulators in teaching a complex procedural skill has been highlighted. Didactic teaching method was associated with a significantly higher rate of learning decay at retention testing.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. peadarwaters@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Peadar S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. terri.mcveigh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McVeigh
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. drbriankelly@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. ger.flatherty@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Gerard T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Flaherty
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. d.devitt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Devitt
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. kbarsurg@eircom.net.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, School of medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. michael.kerin@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kerin
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization