Use of simulation to understand the effects of task complexity and time away on clinical confidence

In prior studies, mannequin-based simulation training has been used to help decrease student anxiety toward intimate clinical examinations. Using time away as an independent variable, the aim of this study was to assess decay of clinical confidence for four procedural tasks that vary in procedural complexity. Clinical confidence with intimate examinations, after a standardized mannequin-based simulation curriculum, decays over time. This decay is noted after two months of time away. Longer periods of time away did not show increased differences.