Advancing health equity through simulation-based education for pre-health students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Training
• Basic Sciences Pedagogy

Background:

• Interest in basic sciences declines during pre-health education, particularly in underrepresented groups.
• Difficulty in basic sciences can be a barrier to entering health professions.
• Clinical simulation offers a potential solution to enhance science education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate clinical simulation as an adjunct to lectures for pre-health students.
• To assess the impact of simulation on understanding, retention, and recall of basic sciences.
• To determine the feasibility and acceptability of simulation in pre-health education.

Main Methods:

• A pretest/posttest design was employed with 43 pre-health students.
• Simulation scenarios included malignant hyperthermia, opioid overdose, stroke, and cardiac emergencies.
• Knowledge acquisition and decision-making were assessed via checklists, written tests, surveys, and qualitative feedback.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in written test scores immediately after and 3 months post-simulation (p < 0.001).
• Increased student confidence in managing emergencies like stroke, cardiac arrest, and opioid overdose (p < 0.001).
• Positive qualitative feedback indicated high acceptability and feasibility of the simulation approach.

Conclusions:

• Clinical simulation is a feasible, acceptable, and effective educational tool for pre-health students.
• Hands-on, interprofessional, and collaborative learning through simulation enhances engagement and learning outcomes.
• Simulation can help overcome barriers in basic science comprehension for aspiring health professionals.