SIMBA: Online Simulation for Teaching Medical Cases to Preclinical Students-A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education
• Digital Learning Technologies

Background:

• Traditional medical education utilizes lectures, small-group teaching (SGT), and simulation-based learning.
• Clinical application and participation remain persistent challenges in current medical training.
• Simulation via Instant Messaging for Bedside Application (SIMBA) offers a novel approach to simulate clinical scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of SIMBA with SGT for endocrine topics in medical and pharmacy students.
• To evaluate student satisfaction and knowledge acquisition between SIMBA and SGT.

Main Methods:

• The SIMBA model was developed using Kern's six-step framework, simulating consultations via WhatsApp.
• Effectiveness was assessed using post-session surveys and multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Study included SIMBA and SGT sessions from October 2020 to March 2022, comparing MCQ scores and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Median MCQ scores were significantly higher post-SIMBA (75.0%) compared to post-SGT (60.0%) (p < 0.0001).
• SIMBA sessions were highly rated for enjoyment (89.2%), intelligibility (90.8%), engagement (81.5%), and knowledge enhancement (90.0%).
• 83.1% of students expressed a desire for SIMBA to supplement SGT.

Conclusions:

• SIMBA demonstrated superior knowledge gain and student satisfaction compared to SGT.
• The familiar technology and interactive nature of SIMBA align with modern learning preferences.
• Integrating SIMBA into curricula can enhance clinical preparedness and address educational limitations.