267 Ascertain Impact of Using Low-Fidelity Simulation Scenarios in Preparation for Practical Surgical Finals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Simulation has become the new way of preparing doctors to deal with medical emergencies, we investigate it using in managing ward-based surgical emergencies. Method Final year medical students completed pre- and post-session questionnaires related to themes of preparedness, anxiousness, and confidence in management of acute surgical presentations versus post-operative complications. The intervention was divided into classroom based teaching and common surgical scenarios enacted using Sim-Man. Results Preparedness increased by a third following participation in surgical simulation scenarios among participants. Anxiousness related to surgical finals decreased by 9%. Confidence in managing acute patients increased by 25% compared to pre-session results. Moreover, 35% of participants felt more confident in managing post-operative complications after the session. On average, participants scored 8/10 for usefulness of the sessions in highlighting areas to concentrate focus upon during revision. Conclusions Simulation is slowly becoming a staple in undergraduate training and our results emphasise positive impact of using this as a revision tool. Kinaesthetic learning is more memorable during simulation which serves as a confidence boost in self-perception of managing both acute and post-operative surgical patients. Anxiety associated with exams and managing real-life emergencies can be dampened by rehearsing scenarios and following a structured approach as championed by medical simulation.