Simulation-Based Curriculum for Medical Undergraduates in Non-technical Skills.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Early integration of non-technical skills (NTS) is crucial for establishing a strong foundation in organizational safety culture.
• Undergraduate medical education requires curriculum development and modification to effectively impart NTS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of creating and modifying an undergraduate curriculum for NTS training based on student needs.
• To implement and evaluate a pilot curriculum using Kern's model for NTS education.

Main Methods:

• A curriculum was designed using Kern's six-step model for third-year medical undergraduates.
• The pilot curriculum incorporated didactic lectures, simulation sessions, and debriefings.
• Needs assessment, student feedback, and focused group discussions informed curriculum revisions.

Main Results:

• A needs assessment of 102 responses indicated 48% considered NTS extremely important for patient care.
• 80.4% of students recommended simulation-based teaching, and 83.3% favored bedside problem-solving.
• The revised curriculum, incorporating student feedback, was implemented with 38 students and found useful, with 53.8% supporting lectures.

Conclusions:

• A combined simulation and lecture-based curriculum for NTS, developed using Kern's model, is well-accepted by undergraduate students.
• This approach effectively incorporates NTS into formal medical education programs, enhancing foundational skills.