Lp. Halamek et al., Time for a new paradigm in pediatric medical education: Teaching neonatal resuscitation in a simulated delivery room environment, PEDIATRICS, 106(4), 2000, pp. NIL_10-NIL_15
Objectives. Acquisition and maintenance of the skills necessary for success
ful resuscitation of the neonate are typically accomplished by a combinatio
n of completion of standardized training courses using textbooks, videotape
, and manikins together with active participation in the resuscitation of h
uman neonates in the real delivery room. We developed a simulation-based tr
aining program in neonatal resuscitation (NeoSim) to bridge the gap between
textbook and real life and to assess trainee satisfaction with the element
s of this program.
Methods. Thirty-eight subjects (physicians and nurses) participated in 1 of
9 full-day NeoSim programs combining didactic instruction with active, han
ds-on participation in intensive scenarios involving life-like neonatal and
maternal manikins and real medical equipment. Subjects were asked to compl
ete an extensive evaluation of all elements of the program on its conclusio
n.
Results. The subjects expressed high levels of satisfaction with nearly all
aspects of this novel program. Responses to open-ended questions were espe
cially enthusiastic in describing the realistic nature of simulation-based
training. The major limitation of the program was the lack of fidelity of t
he neonatal manikin to a human neonate.
Conclusion. Realistic simulation-based training in neonatal resuscitation i
s possible using current technology, is well received by trainees, and offe
rs benefits not inherent in traditional paradigms of medical education.