Effect of simulation-based emergency airway management education on the knowledge, skills and perceived confidence of medical interns

Abstract

Background: An effective airway management education program is a crucial part of the undergraduate medical education curriculum. Theoretical instructions and practical demonstrations are the major modalities of medical education in Nepal. Simulation-based education (SBE) programs have not yet been implemented effectively. We aimed to determine the effects of an SBE program on the knowledge, skills, and perceived confidence of medical interns regarding emergency airway management. Methods: This mixed methods study comprised both quantitative and qualitative components. The study participants were 47 medical interns who had participated in the SBE program. Results: The mean age of the 47 participants was 24.74 years. There were 33 (70.21%) male and 14 (29.79%) female participants. The knowledge, skills, and perceived confidence scores of the participants for airway management preparation, basic airway management, endotracheal intubation, and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion improved significantly following the SBE program (P<0.001). Analysis of the participants’ feedback indicated that they largely approved of the SBE program. The majority of students and faculty expressed a willingness to include similar programs in the undergraduate medical education curriculum. Conclusion: This study demonstrated through quantitative and qualitative metrics that SBE can enhance the knowledge, skills, and perceived confidence in performing emergency airway management among medical interns. We recommend measures to include and effectively implement SBE in the undergraduate medical education curriculum of Nepal.