Use of 3D printed head and neck models for simulating 10 common ENT emergency procedures: a prospective validation...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Emergency medicine physicians, primary care physicians, and allied health professionals require specialized training for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergencies.
• Traditional training methods may not adequately prepare healthcare providers for the complexities of managing acute ENT conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the efficacy of a high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D)-printed head and neck model for training healthcare professionals in managing common ENT emergencies.
• To assess the impact of these 3D models on delegate confidence and skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• A prospective validation study was conducted during an ENT Emergencies course in London.
• Ninety healthcare professionals, including emergency medicine (EM) and primary care residents, participated in the study.
• Participants utilized 3D-printed head and neck models to practice 10 common ENT emergency procedures.

Main Results:

• 86% of delegates found the 3D models extremely or very helpful for learning ENT emergencies.
• Delegate feedback indicated excellent or very good resemblance to real patients in terms of haptic feedback (64%) and tissue texture (74%).
• Confidence in performing the 10 ENT procedures increased significantly, with 74%-96% of delegates reporting enhanced confidence.

Conclusions:

• The validated 3D models demonstrated good face, content, and indirect criterion validity for training in ENT emergencies.
• These 3D models are a valuable tool for enhancing participant confidence and supporting emergency ENT skill development in clinical settings.
• The study supports the integration of 3D printing technology into medical education for critical emergency procedures.