A randomized controlled trial of high-fidelity simulation versus lecture-based education in preclinical medical students

Abstract

High-fidelity simulation may serve as a viable didactic platform for preclinical medical education. Our study demonstrated equivalent immediate knowledge gain and superior long-term knowledge retention in comparison to lectures.

The Effect of Supplemental High Fidelity Simulation Training in Preclinical Medical Students

“…Several studies have demonstrated the equivalence or superiority of HFS as an educational technique to learning enhancement and knowledge retention of a taught topic (1,13). The results from our study are compatible with these results.…”

“…The preclinical core of medical education has traditionally been based on lectures and textbooks (1).…”

“…The advancements in simulation technology can create a pseudo-clinical and low-stakes environment in which medical students can learn basic scientific concepts and implement their knowledge in preclinical and clinical settings (1,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

“…A HFS manikin is a computerized full-body manikin programmed with accurate physiological responses that mimics real clinical situations (15). There is limited literature comparing SBE and standard lecture-based education (LBE) in pre-clinical medical students, yet the results demonstrate small or moderately significant differences (1,11).…”

Simulation-based training for handling extracorporeal membrane oxygenation emergencies

“…Although the sample size was small and a significant number of study subjects dropped out prior to the 1-year assessment, the study suggests that the efficacy of simulation-based training was maintained over 1 year; meanwhile, the water-drills group showed diminished performance with time. A previous study also reported 1-day simulation training can increase knowledge and contribute to the maintenance of knowledge over time (11,12). Vadnais et al (11) reported that further benefit was gained by repeat exposure to simulation training.…”