Screen-based anesthesia simulation with debriefing improves performance in a mannequin-based anesthesia simulator

Background: Previous investigations have established the need for improved training for management of anesthetic emergencies. Training with inexpensive screen-based anesthesia simulators may prove to be helpful. Purposes: The measured the effectiveness of screen-based simulator training with debriefing on the response to simulated anesthetic critical incidents. Methods: Thirty-one Ist-year clinical anesthesia residents It,ere randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group handled 10 anesthetic emergencies using the screen-based anesthesia simulator program and received written feedback on their management, whereas the traditional (control) group was asked to study a handout covering the same 10 emergencies. All residents then were evaluated on their management of 4 standardized scenarios in a mannequin-based simulator using a quantitative scoring system. Results: The average point score for the simulator-with-debriefing group was 52.6 +/- 9.9 out of 95 possible points. The traditional group average point score was 43.4 +/- 5.9, p = .004. Conclusions: Residents who managed anesthetic problems using a screen-based anesthesia simulator handled the emergencies in a mannequin-based anesthesia simulator better than residents who were asked to study a handout covering the same problems. Computer simulations with feedback are effective as a supplement to traditional residency training methods for the management of medical emergencies. Copyright (C) 2001 by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.