Role and challenges of simulation in undergraduate curriculum

Medical simulation is relatively a novel technology widely utilized for teaching and assessing students clinical skills. Students and faculty face many challenges when simulation sessions are introduced into undergraduate curriculum.

The aim of this study is to obtain the opinion of undergraduate medical students and our faculty regarding the role of simulation in undergraduate curriculum, the simulation modalities used, and the perceived barriers in implementing simulation sessions.

A self-administered pilot tested questionnaire with 18 items using a 5-point Likert scale was distributed to undergraduate male (n = 125) and female students (n = 70) as well as to the faculty members (n = 14) at King Fahad Medical City, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University of Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia, to respond. Survey elements addressed the role of simulation, simulation modalities used, and perceived challenges to implementation of simulation sessions.

Various learning outcomes are achieved and improved through the technology enhanced simulation sessions such as communication skills, diagnostic skills, procedural skills, self-confidence, and integration of basic and clinical sciences. The use of high fidelity simulators, simulated patients and task trainers was more desirable by our students and faculty for teaching and learning as well as an evaluation tool. According to most of the students', institutional support in terms of resources, staff and duration of sessions was adequate. However, motivation to participate in the sessions and provision of adequate feedback by the staff was a constraint.

The use of simulation laboratory is of great benefit to the students and a great teaching tool for the staff to ensure students learn various skills.