Low-fidelity Simulation to Teach Anesthetists' Non-technical Skills in Rwanda

The goal of this study is to examine whether low-fidelity instructor-driven simulation can provide effective teaching of anesthetists' non-technical skills in a developing world context. Human factors, such as communication, planning, and team working are considered nontechnical skills which contribute greatly to patient safety in "complex hazardous systems" such as aviation, nuclear power industry, and operating rooms. Simulation began in the aviation industry to train pilots in human factors. In the past two decades simulation has been valued in medical education as it allows the learner to rehearse skills in an environment that is similar to the workplace but without the threat of harm to patients. High Fidelity simulators involve computer driven interactive mannequins that recreate an authentic environment. This has been used successfully to teach anesthetists' non-technical skills (ANTS) such as: decision making, team working, task management, and situation awareness. Anesthetists' non-technical skills are particularly important in developing countries where the shortage of supplies, equipment, and qualified personnel can lead to a perilous working environment making team work and communication vital for patient safety. The costs of high fidelity simulation are prohibitive for many developing countries. This study seeks to examine whether low fidelity instructor driven simulation can provide an effective intervention to teach anesthetists' non-technical skills in Rwanda. If found to be effective, this method of training could be applied to other developing countries to improve non-technical skills for anesthesia providers with the goal of making surgery safer.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: low-fidelity instructor driven simulation training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• anesthesia providers (resident or technician) that provides anesthesia for caesarean section

Exclusion Criteria:

• anesthesia providers that do not provide anesthesia for caesarean section

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Low-fidelty instructor driven simulation training; participants receive simulation training	Other: low-fidelity instructor driven simulation training
No Intervention: No simulation training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Improvement in overall ANTS score after simulation training	two weeks after training

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Dalhousie University
• Collaborators: Grand Challenges Canada

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 23, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2015
• First Posted (Estimated): April 30, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 7, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 5, 2023
• Last Verified: September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Training Program
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2011-2596