Creation and Validation of a Massive Hemoptysis Simulator

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Medical Education

Background:

• Management of massive hemoptysis lacks adequate simulation tools for procedural skill practice.
• Existing simulation options are limited by commercial availability and functional task alignment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of creating and validating a hemoptysis simulator with high functional task alignment.
• To develop a cost-effective and accessible simulation for a critical, low-occurrence medical procedure.

Main Methods:

• A hemoptysis simulator was constructed using a 3-D-printed airway model connected to an intubatable manikin.
• Pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) attending physicians and internal medicine residents participated in evaluation.
• Expert and novice performance was assessed on the simulator using established criteria, focusing on management priorities.

Main Results:

• The manikin-based simulator demonstrated good physical resemblance, high functional alignment, and strong affective fidelity.
• Physicians preferred this simulator over virtual reality options and favored assessing management priorities over skills checklists.
• Experts significantly outperformed novices in hemoptysis management on the simulator, confirming its construct validity.

Conclusions:

• A 3-D-printed hemoptysis simulator was successfully developed, exhibiting appropriate content, high functional task alignment, and strong affective fidelity.
• This simulation approach effectively addresses cost and availability limitations for practicing high-acuity, low-occurrence procedures.
• The validated simulator provides a valuable tool for training physicians in managing massive hemoptysis.