ABSTRACT
Background: Simulation training is increasingly being used as a safe format to instruct students and trainees in different skills and procedures in the field of medicine. In this study, we recorded stress levels among medical students during simulation training for a lumbar puncture [LP] procedure performed on a mannequin and investigated the association between stress and performance
Methodology: This study was conducted on 39 fourth year female medical students. Students wore a galvanic skin response [GSR] sensor on their wrist before being asked to attempt the LP procedure on the mannequin on two separate occasions. Students' performance was assessed using a validated LP checklist on each attempt. Data were compared across all simulation attempts and for each student
Results: Collectively, mean wrist GSR levels increased from the mental rehearsal phase 0.31 mS +/- 0.40, during the first attempt 0.48 mS +/- 0.62 and continued to increase significantly [P = 0.007] during the second attempt 0.60 mS +/- 0.80. There were no significant differences [P = 0.32] between the checklist scores of the first and second attempts
Conclusion: The results of our study support the previous evidence that linked simulation training with emotional and physiological stress. Performing highly intense procedures such as LP is considered to be a potential source of stress. Our findings showed that there was a continuous increase in the level of stress associated with repeated attempts during the LP simulation that had no significant impact on clinical performance. As the practice of medicine involves exposure to a remarkable number of stressors and critical conditions, we emphasize the importance of training medical students in ways to cope more effectively with these situations