Cadaver as an Effective Tool for Simulation Based Procedural Skill Learning Compared to Manikin- An Interns Perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Procedural skill learning is fundamental part of medical education. Simulation based learning helps students acquire the competencies without putting patients at risk. Manikins and cadavers are available resources of medical simulation. Which one is more effective in learning the skills with acceptable confidence, competence and satisfaction is to be elucidated. Establishing a cadaver based Procedural Skill Lab (PSL) may play a role in early exposure of procedural skills to medical students. Aim:To study the intern’s perceptions of effectiveness of procedural skill learning on cadaver and manikins and to record their opinion on need for establishing PSL in Anatomy Department. Materials and Methods: An observational study conducted at S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. Twenty five (n=25) interns who volunteered to participate in the study were included. After collecting the baseline data about exposure to said skills, students were divided into two groups. Students learnt six procedural skills on manikins (M group) and on cadavers (C group). Post-test data was collected. Then crossover was done and survey about the satisfaction, preferred mode of learning and need of the PSL in anatomy was collected. Non parametric test were applied: Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data Mann-Whitney U test for unpaired data, using Medcalc and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Perceived confidence and competence of students after training in both the groups (M and C) increased for all the six skills which was statistically significant (M group p<0.0005 and C group p<0.0002). Satisfaction score was more for cadaver group (p<0.0001). Students chose cadaver based learning as the preferred method of learning and wanted PSL. Conclusion: Soft embalmed cadaver can be an effective tool to learn procedural skills at all level. Establishing a cadaver based PSL in anatomy can provide undergraduates with early exposure of skills develop the requisite knowledge, postgraduates can learn the speciality concerned procedural skills and faculty can venture upon innovative procedures and prevent de-skilling.