Introduction of Medical Simulation and the Experience of Computerized Simulation Program Used by MicroSim(R)

Lee, Sam Beom; Bang, Jae Beum; Sakong, Joon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Computer- and web-based simulation methods help students develop problem solving and decision making skills. In addition, they provide reality based learning to the student clinical experience with immediate medical feedback as well as repetitive training, on-site reviews and case closure.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventy-five third-year medical students participated in a two-week simulation program. The students selected four modules from eight modules as follows: airway and breathing 1, cardiac arrest 1, cardiac arrhythmia 1, and chest pain 1, and then selected the first case within each of the modules. After 2 weeks, a pass score was obtained and the data analyzed. The average pass score of over 70% was considered a passing grade for each module. If the student did not pass each module, there was no score (i.e., pass score was zero). In addition, when at least one of the four modules was zero, the student was not included in this study.
RESULTS
Seventy-five students participated in the simulation program. Nineteen students were excluded based on their performance. The final number of students studied was 56 students (74.7%). The average scores for each module 1 to 4 were 86.7%, 85.3%, 84.0%, and 84.0%, and the average obtained pass score was 88.6 for the four modules in all 56 students.
CONCLUSION
Medical simulation enabled students to experience realistic patient situations as part of medical learning. However, it has not been incorporated into traditional educational methodology. Here we describe the introduction and the development of various simulation modules and technologies for medical education.