Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students

Background:Low-fidelity simulations are cost-effective, accessible tools for medical education. This study describes the development and initial implementation of a low-cost, easy-to-run simulation, assesses participant performance in airway management and ACLS, and reviews qualitative feedback to...

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Main Authors: Kendra Walsh, Christopher Samuel, Shyamal Asher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Medical Students
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2672
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author Kendra Walsh
Christopher Samuel
Shyamal Asher
author_facet Kendra Walsh
Christopher Samuel
Shyamal Asher
author_sort Kendra Walsh
collection DOAJ
description Background:Low-fidelity simulations are cost-effective, accessible tools for medical education. This study describes the development and initial implementation of a low-cost, easy-to-run simulation, assesses participant performance in airway management and ACLS, and reviews qualitative feedback to refine future iterations. Methods:This single-center, prospective observational study piloted a low-fidelity simulation on difficult airway management and intraoperative cardiac arrest for fourth-year medical students in a three-hour workshop. Participant demographics, simulation performance, and post-simulation feedback were analyzed using proportions and Fisher’s exact test. Results:A total of eleven medical students participated in the simulation, with most participants scoring in the higher range.  No statistically significant findings using the Fisher’s exact test were detected between student performance and past experiences in related fields of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, or emergency medicine.  Learners had the most difficulty with adherence to ACLS pathways when managing a simulated cardiac arrest, scoring on average 4.5 ± 1.6 points out of 8.  Six of the eleven participants completed the post-simulation survey (55% response rate), primarily giving positive feedback, with all responses indicating agreement that low-fidelity simulations are beneficial learning opportunities for medical students, citing them as helpful to review knowledge. Conclusion:Low-fidelity simulations provide an underutilized yet effective means for skill development in medical education. ACLS performance gaps may stem from limited practice or situational stress. This simulation requires minimal resources and personnel, making it easily adoptable. Future improvements include a larger sample size, clearer questions, and preparatory materials.
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spelling doaj-art-70c7ff1eaad54f4381fa29cc8c20acce2025-08-20T02:10:31ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghInternational Journal of Medical Students2076-63272025-03-01Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical StudentsKendra Walsh0Christopher Samuel1Shyamal Asher2PharmD. Medical Student, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903; Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Services, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903.MD. Resident, Department of Anesthesiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903.MD. Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Clinician Educator, Department of Anesthesiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903. Background:Low-fidelity simulations are cost-effective, accessible tools for medical education. This study describes the development and initial implementation of a low-cost, easy-to-run simulation, assesses participant performance in airway management and ACLS, and reviews qualitative feedback to refine future iterations. Methods:This single-center, prospective observational study piloted a low-fidelity simulation on difficult airway management and intraoperative cardiac arrest for fourth-year medical students in a three-hour workshop. Participant demographics, simulation performance, and post-simulation feedback were analyzed using proportions and Fisher’s exact test. Results:A total of eleven medical students participated in the simulation, with most participants scoring in the higher range.  No statistically significant findings using the Fisher’s exact test were detected between student performance and past experiences in related fields of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, or emergency medicine.  Learners had the most difficulty with adherence to ACLS pathways when managing a simulated cardiac arrest, scoring on average 4.5 ± 1.6 points out of 8.  Six of the eleven participants completed the post-simulation survey (55% response rate), primarily giving positive feedback, with all responses indicating agreement that low-fidelity simulations are beneficial learning opportunities for medical students, citing them as helpful to review knowledge. Conclusion:Low-fidelity simulations provide an underutilized yet effective means for skill development in medical education. ACLS performance gaps may stem from limited practice or situational stress. This simulation requires minimal resources and personnel, making it easily adoptable. Future improvements include a larger sample size, clearer questions, and preparatory materials. http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2672Medical educationAnesthesiologyPatient simulationMedical Students
spellingShingle Kendra Walsh
Christopher Samuel
Shyamal Asher
Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
International Journal of Medical Students
Medical education
Anesthesiology
Patient simulation
Medical Students
title Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
title_full Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
title_fullStr Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
title_short Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students
title_sort evaluating a low fidelity anesthesiology simulation for airway management and cardiac arrest in medical students
topic Medical education
Anesthesiology
Patient simulation
Medical Students
url http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2672
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AT shyamalasher evaluatingalowfidelityanesthesiologysimulationforairwaymanagementandcardiacarrestinmedicalstudents