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Construction of a simulation scenario and a low-cost simulator for teaching thoracentesis procedural technique: a
Roberson Antequera Moron1, Raphael Raniere de Oliveira Costa2, Victor Cardozo3
1Bauru School of Dentistry (FOB) and Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC), University of São Paulo, R. Silvio Marchione, 3-20 - Vila Nova Cidade Universitaria, Bauru - SP, Sao Paulo, 17012-900, Brazil. robersonmoron@icloud.com.
Background:
Thoracentesis yields valuable insights in pleural effusion diagnosis by accurately interpreting pleural fluid analysis results and can cause several complications, which emphasizes the importance of training in a simulated environment. There are many expensive simulators related to this procedure and few validated scenarios. This study aimed to build and validate a low-cost simulator and a clinical simulation scenario for teaching the thoracentesis procedural technique to undergraduate medical students.
Methods:
This is a methodological study carried out at a public university in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It was carried out in three methodological stages, namely: 1) Construction of the simulator, which involved planning, surveying, pricing, and use of material resources 2) Construction of a simulated thoracentesis scenario, based on literature and a simulation script and 3) Validation by experts and pilot study of the simulator and scenario. Experts were selected according to Fehring criteria.
Results:
The simulator proved to be suitable and low-cost (US $18). Modifications to the scenario were suggested by the experts and students in the pilot study, with 100.0% agreement.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, a low-tech, handmade, and low-cost simulator was built and evaluated for training in the thoracentesis procedural technique, as well as a clinical simulation scenario for the management of patients with pleural effusion, which can be included in various medical teaching contexts.
