Excellence in performance and stress reduction during two different full scale simulator training courses: a pilot...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Critical Care Medicine
• Simulation Technology

Background:

• Simulator training is recognized for enhancing technical and non-technical skills in critical situations.
• Limited data exists on the stress levels experienced by medical professionals during simulator training.
• This study investigates performance and stress in intensivists undergoing two distinct simulator-based training methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two different simulator-based training approaches on intensivist performance and stress levels.
• To compare the effectiveness of crew resource management (CRM) training versus classic simulator training (MED).
• To assess physiological stress responses (cortisol and amylase) and skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two intensivists participated in randomized 1-day simulator courses (CRM or MED).
• Participants underwent a 10-minute test scenario before and after the training.
• Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol and amylase; non-technical skills (ANTS) and clinical performance were assessed.

Main Results:

• Post-intervention, both Anaesthetist's Non-Technical Skills (ANTS) scores and clinical performance significantly improved, with no inter-group differences.
• Salivary cortisol and amylase levels increased during test scenarios, but the post-intervention increase in amylase was significantly smaller.
• No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the CRM and MED training groups.

Conclusions:

• High-fidelity patient simulation induces significant physiological stress.
• A 1-day simulator training program effectively reduces stress response, as indicated by salivary alpha-amylase levels.
• Simulator training demonstrably improves clinical performance and non-technical skills in intensivists.