Using Learning Curves to Identify and Explain Growth Patterns of Learners in Bronchoscopy Simulation: A Mixed-Methods...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation-Based Training
• Skill Acquisition

Background:

• Learning curves are crucial for understanding skill acquisition and competence development in medical trainees.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a controlled environment for practicing complex procedures like bronchoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the growth trajectories of novice trainees using a bronchoscopy VR simulator.
• To compare novice trainee learning patterns with those of experts.

Main Methods:

• Sequential explanatory mixed-methods design involving 20 pediatric subspecialty trainees and 7 faculty.
• Growth mixture modeling to analyze VR outcomes and identify learning patterns.
• Instrumental case study with field notes and interviews to explain growth patterns.

Main Results:

• Two distinct growth patterns were identified: 'slow growth' and 'fast growth'.
• Slow growth learners struggled with skill integration and used repetitive, non-strategic practice.
• Fast growth learners demonstrated adaptive expertise, integrating anatomy knowledge and flexible problem-solving.

Conclusions:

• Provides validity evidence for using growth models in educational research.
• Highlights 'slow growth' associated with mechanistic practice and 'fast growth' with adaptive expertise.