[Simulation training for urinary drainage improves skill retention]

Urethral and suprapubic catheterizations are the two methods for urinary drainage. Systematic simulation training could improve the performance and reduce iatrogenic complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the skills retention using simulation training.

It was an experimental study of the effect of urinary drainage simulation based skills on medical students in order to compare active and passive training methods. On the first session, randomization was proceeded. Then, the participant performed one of the two workshops (urethral or suprapubic catheterization) on a male mannequin. The maximal performance was 40 points on the assessment form. Both workshops were performed on the second (one month) and third sessions (six months).

Eighteen participants were included. Main performance was 28.7/40 (23-34.2) at the first session. All the participants improved the performance on the second session with a significant difference (P<0.01) between passive 32.5 (26-36.5) and active participants 36.1/40 (34.5-39). On the third session, a similar difference was observed between passive and active participants (32.5 versus 30.4, P non significant).

Simulation training seems to improve long-term skill retention of urinary drainage for inexperienced medical students. This preliminary study suggests to incorporate urinary drainage simulation training into all medical school curricula.

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