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Enhancing paramedics procedural skills using a cadaveric model.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Paramedic education has evolved in recent times from vocational post-employment to tertiary pre-employment supplemented by clinical placement. Simulation is advocated as a means of transferring learned skills to clinical practice. Sole reliance of simulation learning using mannequin-based models may not be sufficient to prepare students for variance in human anatomy. In 2012, we trialled the use of fresh frozen human cadavers to supplement undergraduate paramedic procedural skill training. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether cadaveric training is an effective adjunct to mannequin simulation and clinical placement. METHODS:A multi-method approach was adopted. The first step involved a Delphi methodology to formulate and validate the evaluation instrument. The instrument comprised of knowledge-based MCQs, Likert for self-evaluation of procedural skills and behaviours, and open answer. The second step involved a pre-post evaluation of the 2013 cadaveric training. RESULTS:One hundred and fourteen students attended the workshop and 96 evaluations were included in the analysis, representing a return rate of 84%. There was statistically significant improved anatomical knowledge after the workshop. Students' self-rated confidence in performing procedural skills on real patients improved significantly after the workshop: inserting laryngeal mask (MD 0.667), oropharyngeal (MD 0.198) and nasopharyngeal (MD 0.600) airways, performing Bag-Valve-Mask (MD 0.379), double (MD 0.344) and triple (MD 0.326,) airway manoeuvre, doing 12-lead electrocardiography (MD 0.729), using laryngoscope (MD 0.726), using Magill® forceps to remove foreign body (MD 0.632), attempting thoracocentesis (MD 1.240), and putting on a traction splint (MD 0.865). The students commented that the workshop provided context to their theoretical knowledge and that they gained an appreciation of the differences in normal tissue variation. Following engagement in/ completion of the workshop, students were more aware of their own clinical and non-clinical competencies. CONCLUSIONS:The paramedic profession has evolved beyond patient transport with minimal intervention to providing comprehensive both emergency and non-emergency medical care. With limited availability of clinical placements for undergraduate paramedic training, there is an increasing demand on universities to provide suitable alternatives. Our findings suggested that cadaveric training using fresh frozen cadavers provides an effective adjunct to simulated learning and clinical placements.

SUBMITTER: Lim D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4099026 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhancing paramedics procedural skills using a cadaveric model.

Lim David D Bartlett Stephen S Horrocks Peter P Grant-Wakefield Courtenay C Kelly Jodie J Tippett Vivienne V

BMC medical education 20140708

<h4>Background</h4>Paramedic education has evolved in recent times from vocational post-employment to tertiary pre-employment supplemented by clinical placement. Simulation is advocated as a means of transferring learned skills to clinical practice. Sole reliance of simulation learning using mannequin-based models may not be sufficient to prepare students for variance in human anatomy. In 2012, we trialled the use of fresh frozen human cadavers to supplement undergraduate paramedic procedural sk ...[more]

PMID: 25004792

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Project description:BackgroundProcedural skills are a key element in the training of future physiotherapists. Procedural skills relate to the acquisition of appropriate motor skills, which allow the safe application of clinical procedures to patients. In order to evaluate procedural skills in physiotherapy education validated assessment instruments are required. Recently the assessment of procedural skills in physiotherapy education (APSPT) tool was developed. The overall aim of this study was to establish the structural validity of the APSPT. In order to do this the following objectives were examined: i) the fit of the items of APSPT to the Rasch-model, ii) the fit of the overall score to the Rasch model, iii) the difficulty of each test item and iv) whether the difficulty levels of the individual test items cover the whole capacity spectrum of students in pre-registration physiotherapy education.MethodsFor this observational cross-sectional measurement properties study a convenience sample of 69 undergraduate pre-registration physiotherapy students of the HES-SO Valais-Wallis was recruited. Participants were instructed to perform a task procedure on a simulated patient. The performance was evaluated with the APSPT. A conditional maximum likelihood approach was used to estimate the parameters of a partial credit model for polytomous item responses. Item fit, ordering of thresholds, targeting and goodness of fit to the Rasch model was assessed.ResultsItem fit statistics showed that 25 items of the APSPT showed adequate fit to the Rasch model. Disordering of item thresholds did not occur and the targeting of the APSPT was adequate to measure the abilities of the included participants. Undimensionality and subgroup homogeneity were confirmed.ConclusionThis study presented evidence for the structural validity of the APSPT. Undimensionality of the APSPT was confirmed and therefore presents evidence that the latent dimension of procedural skills in physiotherapy education consists of several subcategories. However, the results should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size.

Project description:ObjectiveWhile short-term gains in performance of critical emergency procedures are demonstrated after simulation, long-term retention is relatively uncertain. Our objective was to determine whether simulation of critical emergency procedures promotes long-term retention of skills in nonsurgical physicians.MethodsWe searched multiple electronic databases using a peer-reviewed strategy. Eligible studies 1) were observational cohorts, quasi-experimental or randomized controlled trials; 2) assessed intubation, cricothyrotomy, pericardiocentesis, tube thoracostomy, or central line placement performance by nonsurgical physicians; 3) utilized any form of simulation; and 4) assessed skill performance immediately after and at ≥ 3 months after simulation. The primary outcome was skill performance at or above a preset performance benchmark at ≥ 3 months after simulation. Secondary outcomes included procedural skill performance at 3, 6, and ≥ 12 months after simulation.ResultsWe identified 1,712 citations, with 10 being eligible for inclusion. Methodologic quality was moderate with undefined primary outcomes; inadequate sample sizes; and use of nonstandardized, unvalidated tools. Three studies assessed performance to a specific performance benchmark. Two demonstrated maintenance of the minimum performance benchmark while two demonstrated significant skill decay. A significant decline in the mean performance scores from immediately after simulation to 3, 6, and ≥ 12 months after simulation was observed in four of four, three of four, and two of five studies, respectively. Scores remained significantly above baseline at 3, 6, and ≥ 12 months after simulation in three of four, three of four, and four of four studies, respectively.ConclusionThere were a limited number of studies examining the retention of critical skills after simulation training. While there was some evidence of skill retention after simulation, overall most studies demonstrated skill decline over time.

Project description:Sufficient teaching and assessing clinical skills in the undergraduate setting becomes more and more important. In a surgical skills-lab course at the Medical University of Innsbruck fourth year students were teached with DOPS (direct observation of procedural skills). We analyzed whether DOPS worked or not in this setting, which performance levels could be reached compared to tutor teaching (one tutor, 5 students) and which curricular side effects could be observed.In a prospective randomized trial in summer 2013 (April - June) four competence-level-based skills were teached in small groups during one week: surgical abdominal examination, urethral catheterization (phantom), rectal-digital examination (phantom), handling of central venous catheters. Group A was teached with DOPS, group B with a classical tutor system. Both groups underwent an OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) for assessment. 193 students were included in the study. Altogether 756 OSCE´s were carried out, 209 (27,6%) in the DOPS- and 547 (72,3%) in the tutor-group.Both groups reached high performance levels. In the first month there was a statistically significant difference (p<0,05) in performance of 95% positive OSCE items in the DOPS-group versus 88% in the tutor group. In the following months the performance rates showed no difference anymore and came to 90% in both groups. In practical skills the analysis revealed a high correspondence between positive DOPS (92,4%) and OSCE (90,8%) results.As shown by our data DOPS furnish high performance of clinical skills and work well in the undergraduate setting. Due to the high correspondence of DOPS and OSCE results DOPS should be considered as preferred assessment tool in a students skills-lab. The approximation of performance-rates within the months after initial superiority of DOPS could be explained by an interaction between DOPS and tutor system: DOPS elements seem to have improved tutoring and performance rates as well. DOPS in students 'skills-lab afford structured feedback and assessment without increased personnel and financial resources compared to classic small group training.In summary, this study shows that DOPS represent an efficient method in teaching clinical skills. Their effects on didactic culture reach beyond the positive influence of performance rates.

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Enhancing paramedics procedural skills using a cadaveric model.

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Enhancing paramedics procedural skills using a cadaveric model.

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