Development and Evaluation of Two Canine Low-Fidelity Simulation Models

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Surgical Skills Simulation

Background:

• Effective simulation models are crucial for veterinary surgical skills training.
• High-fidelity models can be expensive and inaccessible.
• Low-fidelity models offer a potentially cost-effective alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate self-made, low-fidelity models for canine intubation and urinary catheterization simulation.
• To compare the effectiveness of low-fidelity models against high-fidelity models and text-based learning.

Main Methods:

• Two groups of veterinary students (second-year for intubation, fifth-year for catheterization) were trained using high-fidelity models, low-fidelity models, or text-based instruction.
• Skills were assessed via practical examination on cadavers using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) checklist.

Main Results:

• Both high-fidelity and low-fidelity intervention groups significantly outperformed the text-based control group.
• No significant difference in skill acquisition was found between the high-fidelity and low-fidelity model groups for either procedure.

Conclusions:

• Self-made low-fidelity models are a viable and effective alternative to high-fidelity models for clinical skills training in veterinary medicine.
• Low-fidelity simulation can achieve comparable learning outcomes to high-fidelity simulation at a reduced cost.