title: A brief simulation intervention increasing basic science and clinical knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is increasing clinical content on the Step 1 exam; thus, inclusion of clinical applications within the basic science curriculum is crucial. Including simulation activities during basic science years bridges the knowledge gap between basic science content and clinical application.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a one-off, 1-hour cardiovascular simulation intervention on a summative assessment after adjusting for relevant demographic and academic predictors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a non-randomized study using historical controls to evaluate curricular change. The control group received lecture (n l=515) and the intervention group received lecture plus a simulation exercise (n l+s=1,066). Assessment included summative exam questions (n=4) that were scored as pass/fail (≥75%). USMLE-style assessment questions were identical for both cohorts. Descriptive statistics for variables are presented and odds of passage calculated using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Undergraduate grade point ratio, MCAT-BS, MCAT-PS, age, attendance at an academic review program, and gender were significant predictors of summative exam passage. Students receiving the intervention were significantly more likely to pass the summative exam than students receiving lecture only (P=0.0003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation plus lecture increases short-term understanding as tested by a written exam. A longitudinal study is needed to assess the effect of a brief simulation intervention on long-term retention of clinical concepts in a basic science curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA; maria.sheakley@med.wmich.edu.
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sheakley
authors.affiliation: Center for Teaching and Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies.|DeVry Medical International's Institute for Research and Clinical Strategy, Iselin, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: DeVry Medical International's Institute for Research and Clinical Strategy, Iselin, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leighton
authors.affiliation: Center for Teaching and Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Callender
authors.affiliation: The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton, PA, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pederson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008004:Licensure; D008297:Male; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States
keywords: Manikins; cardiovascular course; high-fidelity simulation; teaching; undergraduate medical education