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Published on: January 15, 2017
Implementation and Evaluation of an Emergency Department-Based Procedure Task Trainer Cart: A Mixed Methods Study
Kathryn Oskar1, Nicole Danaher-Garcia2, Reem J Alansari3
1Emergency Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA.
Cureus
|May 22, 2026
Summary
A simulation task trainer cart in the emergency department (ED) improved procedural skill training accessibility. Initial use was high, but decreased over time, highlighting needs for sustained engagement and peer-based learning.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Emergency Medicine
- Simulation Training
Background:
- Teaching procedural skills in the emergency department (ED) presents unique challenges.
- A modular cart with simulation-based task trainers was introduced to facilitate on-shift procedural training in a busy academic ED.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the uptake and educational impact of an accessible simulation equipment cart in an ED setting.
- To understand clinician perceptions and identify barriers and facilitators for sustained use of procedural task trainers.
Main Methods:
- Uptake was measured by logged cart accesses.
- Educational impact was evaluated using pre- and post-intervention surveys and semi-structured interviews with resident physicians.
- Thematic analysis was performed on interview data.
Main Results:
- Initial cart usage was 13 accesses/month, declining to 1-2 accesses/month post-pilot phase.
- Survey data suggested a preference for practicing with peers over solo practice.
- Interviews identified themes of 'practice makes perfect,' 'applications beyond the tool,' and 'limitations, barriers, and solutions.'
Conclusions:
- Placing simulation task trainers in clinical settings enhances accessibility for procedural skill development.
- Clinician feedback provides valuable insights for improving future iterations of simulation carts.
- Understanding the learning curve is crucial for integrating simulation into procedural skill acquisition and maintenance for emergency medicine trainees.
