High-fidelity simulation in pathophysiology courses with medical students

Introduction

Simulations make it possible to acquire various skills in a risk-free environment. The objective of this study was to assess medical student? performance in a simulation-enriched learning scenario in renal disease.

Methods

2 renal scenarios were designed for implementation in high-fidelity simulations, using a rubric to assess small student teams’ performance. Good Judgment Debriefing was used as feedback to the students, once the simulation had ended. Finally, students then completed a self-evaluation of their performance.

Results

54 students voluntarily participated in this study. Student teams performed the best in communication, collaboration and understanding of pathophysiology skills.

Conclusions

Communication skills are of great importance in the medical field, both with healthcare team as with the patient. Students must strengthen their performance in therapy implementation and differential diagnoses before entering clinical rotations. This activity allows deep reflection and analysis of specific area performance, which can augment confidence on those where performance is high; and identify weakness areas that will lead to designing new activities to strengthen them.