Plaster cast removal simulation model for resident training.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Simulation Training

Background:

• Complications from cast removal, though infrequent, can lead to lasting skin damage.
• Formal training in cast removal techniques is often insufficient during orthopedic residency programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel plaster cast removal simulation model for orthopedic resident training.
• To assess the effectiveness of the simulation model in improving resident competency in cast removal.

Main Methods:

• A quasiexperimental study utilizing a pediatric forearm phantom equipped with temperature sensors.
• Performance evaluation involved the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and a Specific Ratings Scale (SRS), alongside procedure time and temperature monitoring.
• Six orthopedic residents were assessed before and after an instructional session using the simulation model, with comparisons made to expert performance.

Main Results:

• Residents demonstrated significant improvements in OSATS and SRS scores post-training (P=.03 and P=.02, respectively).
• No significant differences were found in procedure time or temperature measurements between pre- and post-training assessments.
• Post-training resident performance, assessed by OSATS and SRS, was comparable to expert levels (P>.05).

Conclusions:

• The developed plaster cast removal simulation model is an effective educational tool for residents.
• The simulation enables residents to achieve and demonstrate expert-level competency in cast removal.
• The training intervention positively impacted resident skill acquisition, as evidenced by improved assessment scores.