Impact of an Electronic App on Resident Responses to Simulated In-Flight Medical Emergencies: Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Healthcare providers often face in-flight medical emergencies with limited familiarity.
• Lack of preparedness includes supplies, interventions, and ground medical support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if the airRx mobile application enhances responses to simulated in-flight medical emergencies.
• Assessing the app's impact on medical emergency management by physicians.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving volunteer resident physicians managing simulated emergencies.
• Participants used either the airRx app or no app (control) in a mock cabin setting.
• Evaluations included checklist success rates, critical action times, and global rating scales.

Main Results:

• The airRx app group showed higher checklist item success rates for both shortness of breath (56.1% vs 49.4%) and syncope (58% vs 49.8%).
• Global rating scales improved with the app for syncope but not for shortness of breath.
• The app group contacted ground support faster, but the control group was quicker with vitals and basic exams; app users reported greater confidence increases.

Conclusions:

• The airRx app prompted certain actions but delayed others during simulated in-flight medical emergencies.
• The study suggests the airRx app can be a valuable supplementary tool for managing these events.