Listening To Auscultation Manikins: Efficacy of A Single Simulation Training in A Resource-Limited Setting

Introduction: Auscultation proficiency remains suboptimal among healthcare professionals, particularly in resource-limited countries. Simulation-based training is a promising measure to address this gap by offering a safe and controlled environment. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the efficacy of Student Auscultation Manikin II® (SAM II®)-based training and to determine the influential factors in our academic setting.

Methods: A total of 370 third-year medical students received a single 4-hour SAM II®-based training commenced with clinical rotations. To evaluate student’s performance, a test comprising 16 sounds and diagnoses was conducted at three points in time: prior to, at the end of, and at a short interval after the training. Multivariable linear regression models with intervention as a dummy variable were used to examine whether faculty qualifications and prior clinical exposure were associated with outcomes.

Results: SAM II®-based training immediately improved student's heart and lung auscultation performance with statistical significance (Median [IQR]: 5 [4-6] vs. 4 [3-6], p < 0.001; 5 [4-5] vs. 3 [3-5], p < 0.001, respectively). Retention rates were 96.8% for cardiac and 88.1% for respiratory auscultation, with no significant difference (p = 0.109). Furthermore, our analysis revealed no correlation between their post-training competence, and educators’ qualifications or students' prior exposure to clinical conditions.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the immediate efficacy of part-task trainers in enhancing and maintaining auscultation skills over short periods. Clinical faculties with adequate simulation training can instruct MS-3s as effectively as simulation experts. Nevertheless, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of simulator quality to ensure alignment with the learning objectives.