The impact of introducing a videolaryngoscope in the initial training of laryngoscopy for undergraduate medical students: a simulation randomized trial

Abstract Introduction: Adequate and continuous airway management by health professionals is fundamental to ensure patient safety and protection. Among several techniques, laryngoscopy for orotracheal intubation is considered a basic skill, so it is taught and learned in medical school and used during the future years of professional practice. However, in some clinical scenarios, physical and anatomical characteristics can make laryngoscopy exceedingly difficult. In the last decade, some new devices have emerged to apply indirect or video-assisted imaging systems, so-called videolaryngoscopes. They have shown great efficiency in difficult intubation cases and have improved teaching and training. Our study introduced a videolaryngoscope, the McGrathTM MAC, in the regular laryngoscopy training rotation for 3rd-year undergraduate medical students and evaluated whether there was any associated optimization of the students' performance. Method: Students from two different classes and years (2017 and 2018) were randomly divided into two groups and received theoretical and practical training in the techniques of Direct Laryngoscopy (DL) and Videolaryngoscopy (VL). The students in each group applied the manoeuvres and simulated three tracheal intubation attempts on mannequins. They were evaluated for their success rate on the first attempt, the time required to finalize the intubation, and the visualization of the glottic structures according to the classification of Cormack-Lehane (C&L). Results: Two hundred and four students with an average age of 21 ± 2 years participated in the study; the groups were similar. There was a significant difference between the VL and DL groups in the 1st attempt success rate (97% and 89.4%, respectively, p = 0.0497 - 95% CI), but such a difference was not seen for the other attempts or regarding the number of oesophageal intubations (3% and 7.7%). The students in the VL group were faster than those in the DL group in all intubation attempts; in parallel, the vast majority of the VL group reported excellent visualization conditions, with 75% of the attempts classified as Cormack-Lehane grade 1. Conclusion: The introduction of a videolaryngoscope in medical students' training improved the visualization of anatomical structures and allowed tracheal intubation maneuvers to be performed faster and with a higher success rate on the first attempt. Thus, under the conditions of this prospective study, the videolaryngoscope had a positive impact on training and proved to be a promising tool for teaching laryngoscopy.

Mannequin-based simulation as an educational tool for learning injection techniques: medical students’ view points

Background: Mannequin-based training devices are simulation adjuncts that mimic reality in healthcare settings for acquiring basic procedural skills, without compromising patient safety. The current study aims to explore students’ perceptions of mannequin-based simulation as an educational tool and perceived changes in self-confidence by using a mixed-method research.Methods: This questionnaire?based study was conducted in 2nd year MBBS students. Pre-validated questionnaires measured the quantitative and qualitative aspects of simulation-training in-terms of their relevance as teaching–learning tool, perceived benefits of sessions, and their importance for future use. The study further attempted to note any perceived change in students’ confidence, measured before and after sessions. Chi-square and Fischer-exact test were computed for quantitative responses. Wilcoxon signed-rank test (two-tailed) was used to analyse students’ confidence rating before and after simulation. Categorical data were represented as frequencies and proportions.Results: Overall, the sessions were well received by students. Over 90% of students agreed that simulation is a safe, enjoyable and feasible modality for acquiring basic clinical skills. Majority opined that sessions helped them integrate basic-life sciences and clinical concepts, improved attention span and urged inclusion in undergraduate curriculum. Students perceived significant improvements (p<0.001) in confidence post-training. Free-text responses were positive with students highlighting the need for simulation sessions and suggestions for improvement.Conclusions: Most students consider mannequin-based learning as an essential tool to acquire procedural skills. By promoting active student engagement and impactful learning, simulations justify inclusion in medical curriculum for better patient safety.

Simulação Médica no Ensino Universitário de Pediatria / Medical Simulation in the University Teaching of Pediatrics

RESUMO Objetivos Demonstrar as vantagens do uso de manequins simuladores no ensino prático médico, em particular pediátrico, e estudar os diferentes tipos de manequins/modelos existentes, especificidades e utilização própria de cada um deles. Métodos A formação médica baseada na transmissão teórica de conhecimentos e com aprendizagem clínica praticada em doentes reais não é viável atualmente, pois depende da oportunidade e disponibilidade dos doentes em determinado momento. Hoje em dia, a Medicina recorre a modelos de simulação médica, permitindo o desenvolvimento da proficiência necessária à execução de determinado procedimento. A simulação médica proporciona diversas vantagens: não requer doentes reais e disponíveis, possibilita repetição da técnica com correção de erros, aumenta o nível de confiança do aluno em suas capacidades e não oferece risco ao doente. Desde 2009, o ensino de Pediatria no Estágio de Saúde Infantil dos alunos do sexto ano do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina na Faculdade de Medicina de Coimbra contempla aulas práticas com modelos, onde os alunos treinam técnicas como: intubação pediátrica, manobra de Ortolani, punção venosa em membros superiores, punção lombar, intubação orotraqueal, auscultação do murmúrio vesicular, punção venosa, avaliação da fontanela normotensa e da hipertensão da fontanela. Esta componente prática de ensino estimula e agrada aos alunos, que todos os anos a elegem como uma das preferidas do Estágio de Saúde Infantil no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado. Resultados Aquisição de conhecimentos e prática de técnicas médicas, invasivas e não invasivas, por parte dos alunos, recorrendo a modelos de simulação médica pediátricos, nomeadamente: intubação pediátrica, manobra de Ortolani, punção venosa em membros superiores, punção lombar, intubação orotraqueal, auscultação do murmúrio vesicular, punção venosa, avaliação da fontanela normotensa e da hipertensão da fontanela. Feita a avaliação destas mesmas aulas pelos alunos por meio de questionário de preferências, ficou claro que esta é uma das aulas preferidas dos alunos do sexto ano de Medicina em Estágio de Saúde Infantil do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina. Conclusões Foi possível aos alunos desenvolver competências na realização de procedimentos médicos, com uma avaliação muito positiva pelos estudantes do Estágio em Saúde Infantil do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina.

ABSTRACT Objectives To demonstrate the advantages of using simulator mannequins in practical medical education and particularly in pediatrics, studying the different kinds of existing mannequins/models, their specific characteristics and uses. Methods Medical training based on the theoretical transmission of knowledge and clinical learning practiced on real patients is currently unviable because it is dependent on the timing and availability of patients at any given moment. Nowadays, medicine uses medical simulation models, thus facilitating the development of proficiency in skills required for the execution of particular procedures. Medical simulation provides several advantages: it does not require real and available patients, techniques may be repeated in order to address errors, students’ confidence in their abilities is promoted, and there is an absence of risk for the patient. Since 2009, the child health internship undertaken as part of the pediatric education section of the Integrated Master’s degree at the University of Coimbra Faculty of Medicine by sixth-year students has included practical classes with models where students practice techniques such as pediatric intubation, the Ortolani maneuver, venipuncture in upper limbs, lumbar puncture, endotracheal intubation, breath sounds auscultation, venipuncture, evaluation of normotensive fontanelle, and hypertension fontanelle. This practical component stimulates and appeals to students, who repeatedly select these classes as one of their favorites on the child health internship completed as part of the Integrated Master’s degree in Medicine. Results Students used medical simulation models to acquire knowledge and practice medical, invasive and non-invasive techniques such as: pediatric intubation, the Ortolani maneuver, venipuncture in the upper limbs, lumbar puncture, endotracheal intubation, breath sounds auscultation, venipuncture, evaluation of normotensive fontanelle, and hypertension fontanelle. Upon the students’ assessment by means of a preference questionnaire, it became clear that these classes were some of those preferred by sixth-year students completing the child health internship as part of their Integrated Master’s degree. Conclusions Students completing child health internships as part of the Integrated Master’s degree in medicine were able to develop skills in performing medical procedures, with very positive assessments given by these students on the experience.

Control de calidad en imagen por resonancia magnética: evaluación de parámetros de calidad en protocolos de neuroimagen / Quality control in magnetic resonance imaging: evaluation of quality parameters in neuroimaging protocols

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in neuroimaging due to the development of sequences that provide insight into structural and functional aspects of the brain, such as DTI and functional magnetic resonance (fMRI). Analysis of the images in neuroimaging is of a quantitative nature, which requires that the images be of a high quality. To ensure delivery of this required high quality image, a quality control protocol designed exclusively for neuroimaging has been developed. This protocol covers the evaluation of 5 quality parameters: geometric accuracy, image uniformity, SNR, slice position and slice thickness. MRI images were acquired of 3 mannequins, analyzing the images according to the methodology proposed for each parameter. The results have been mixed, in some parameters results obtained have been satisfactory and in others not. It is recommended that this proposed protocol be carried out respecting the methodology and taking into account the considerations cited in this article.

La resonancia magnética juega un rol muy importante en neuroimagen debido al desarrollo de secuencias que permiten conocer aspectos estructurales y funcionales del cerebro, tales como la DTI y la resonancia magnética funcional. El análisis de las imágenes en neuroimagen es de carácter cuantitativo, esto requiere que las imágenes sean de una elevada calidad. Con el fin de asegurar la obtención de esta elevada calidad de imagen requerida se ha elaborado un protocolo de control de calidad exclusivamente diseñado para neuroimagen. Este protocolo abarca la evaluación de 5 parámetros de calidad: exactitud geométrica, uniformidad de imagen, SNR, posición del corte y espesor del corte. Se han adquirido las imágenes por resonancia magnética de 3 maniquíes, analizando las imágenes de acuerdo a la metodología propuesta para cada parámetro. Los resultados han sido variados, en algunos parámetros se han obtenido resultados satisfactorios y en otros no. Se recomienda llevar a cabo este protocolo propuesto respetando la metodología y tomando en cuenta las consideraciones que se citan en este trabajo.