The effects of utilizing high-fidelity simulation in medical residency programs

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of utilizing high-fidelity simulation on the team performance, perceived level of learning, and satisfaction of resident physicians in a simulated cardiac resuscitation scenario. This study was significant because it filled a gap in the literature about how methods of education impact healthcare practitioners. While a body of research exists in education on adult learning principles, there are few studies on how applying adult learning principles to professional development is an effective method of instruction in healthcare.;A convenience sample of resident physicians from two hospitals that are part of a large health system was utilized for this study. Resident physicians participated in a simulated mock cardiac resuscitation scenario monthly. The Simulated Cardiac Resuscitation Team Performance Evaluation instrument was utilized to assess the team performance of the residents in the scenarios. A program evaluation form was administered to measure perceived level of learning and satisfaction with the simulation experience.;One-way multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to evaluate the relationships between year of residency and gender and the team performance score on the Simulated Cardiac Resuscitation Team Performance Evaluation. Significant differences were not found among the years of residency on the dependent measures. Significant differences were not found between the genders on the dependent measures. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the relationship between year of residency and the level of satisfaction and perceived level of learning of the resident physicians. Significant differences were not found among the three years of residency on the dependent measures. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the relationship between gender and the level of satisfaction and perceived level of learning of the resident physicians. Significant differences were not found between genders on the dependent measures. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the relationship between prior use of simulation and the level of satisfaction and perceived level of learning of the resident physicians. Significant differences were not found between prior use of simulation on the dependent measures.