Exposure to Simulated Mortality Affects Resident Performance During Assessment Scenarios

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation-Based Training
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• The role of simulated mortality in medical training is debated.
• This study investigated its impact on resident performance and psychological responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if varying levels of simulated mortality affect resident performance.
• To assess differences in anxiety, attitudes, and engagement based on simulation group assignment.

Main Methods:

• Fifty junior anesthesiology residents were randomized into three groups: always survival, always mortality, or variable mortality.
• All residents completed 12 identical simulations with differing outcomes.
• Performance and anxiety were assessed 6 weeks post-training.

Main Results:

• Residents in the variable mortality group showed improved nontechnical skills (Anesthetists' Nontechnical Skills Score).
• The 'always death' group reported higher anxiety during assessment compared to others.
• No significant difference in nontechnical skills was observed between 'always death' and 'never death' groups.

Conclusions:

• Variable simulated mortality, linked to performance, enhances resident nontechnical skills.
• This training method may improve performance without detrimentally increasing anxiety.