Undergraduate student's perception of clinical simulation workshops: assessment of an instrument

Abstract

Simulation is a useful training tool for undergraduate medical students. A valid instrument is needed to assess students' perception of simulation workshops. To adapt and validate an instrument to assess the undergraduate medical student's perception of simulation workshops of clinical procedures. Delphi Methodology was used to adapt the instrument. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses were performed to determine the construct validity and Cronbach's Alpha (0 to 1) for internal consistency of the instrument. A Delphi panel of 10 experts adapted a seven-item questionnaire (Likert scale 1-5; ranging from 7 to 35) and four open-questions. After 3-delphi-rounds, the instrument was administered to 210 students in six simulation training programs (Paracentesis, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Airway management, Sutures, Thoracentesis and Nursing Procedures). The instrument was considered unidimensional in the factorial analysis. The overall median (Q1-Q3) score was 34 ranging from 32 to 35 and the Cronbach Alpha coefficient was 0.72, indicating a good reliability. The perception questionnaire is a useful and reliable instrument to assess students' perceptions of clinical simulations.