Repetitive simulation is an effective instructional design within a pediatric resident simulation curriculum

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation-Based Learning
• Paediatric Residency Training

Background:

• Repetitive paediatric simulation (RPS) offers immediate feedback application, unlike standard simulation (STN).
• Paediatric simulation curricula are crucial for developing essential clinical skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the impact of RPS versus STN within a paediatric resident simulation curriculum.
• To evaluate resident attitudes, confidence, knowledge, and skills using both simulation designs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective educational cohort study involving paediatric residents in STN (n=18) and RPS (n=15) groups.
• High-fidelity simulations conducted initially and after 1-2 weeks, with assessments at multiple time points.
• Skills assessed using the modified Tool for Resuscitation Assessment Using Computerised Simulation (TRACS), with inter-rater reliability analysis.

Main Results:

• Both STN and RPS designs received high ratings.
• Significant short-term and long-term improvements in confidence, knowledge, and performance observed in both groups, with no significant differences between STN and RPS.
• Residents overwhelmingly preferred RPS over STN; TRACS demonstrated high inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.87).

Conclusions:

• Paediatric residents prefer RPS over STN, experiencing comparable improvements in key learning outcomes.
• The modified TRACS is a reliable tool for assessing resident performance in simulation.
• Further investigation is warranted to establish RPS as a superior instructional design for paediatric resuscitation skills.