Evaluating a Multimodal Clinical Anesthesia Course Integrated Into an Existing Veterinary Curriculum

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Medical Simulation
• Anesthesia Training

Background:

• Veterinary anesthesia training is crucial for patient safety.
• Integrating simulation-based learning enhances practical skills.
• Current curricula benefit from multimodal approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a multimodal, simulation-based anesthesia course within a veterinary curriculum.
• To assess the impact of simulation on cognitive, affective, and performance outcomes.
• To determine the course's effectiveness in preparing students for clinical anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A simulation-based, multimodal anesthesia training course was implemented.
• Kirkpatrick Model levels were used for evaluation.
• Cognitive and affective outcomes were measured pre- and post-instruction.
• Clinical performance was recorded using head-mounted cameras during live anesthesia.
• Blinded external raters assessed performance using a standardized rubric.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy were observed post-instruction.
• Participants showed higher clinical task performance ratings compared to a control group.
• Enhanced professional skills, including communication and collaboration, were noted.
• Blinded raters provided superior evaluations for simulation-trained students.

Conclusions:

• Multimodal simulation-based anesthesia courses effectively enhance veterinary student learning.
• The integrated course improves cognitive and affective outcomes.
• Simulation training better prepares students for anesthesia patient care.