Factors Associated with Advanced Life Support Simulation Performance of Senior Medical Students

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although use of simulation for medical students in medical education has increased, little is known about factors associated with performance on advanced life support simulation. The goal of this study was to determine which educational and psychosocial factors are associated with performance of senior medical students using a simulation resuscitation model. METHODS: Fourth year medical students enrolled in the study were divided into six groups. Subjects in each group underwent training in emergency medicine for a period of two weeks. This was a consecutive study conducted from March to July of 2009. Each student underwent an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) simulation performance test while performance was graded by two ACLS instructors who were certified by the American Heart Association. The scores of the followings were collected: basic life support (BLS) practice, personality characteristics survey, case presentation, one post-training written test, and two planned tests for the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). RESULTS: A total of 46 students participated in the study. As measured by the post-training written test and two planned tests for the KMLE, no association was observed between ACLS performance scores and personality type, BLS skills, or medical knowledge. However, scores on case presentations showed a moderate association with ACLS performance scores: r=0.390 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Results of this study demonstrated an association of ACLS simulation performance with case presentations. These results support the idea that the ability to manage resuscitation is associated with aptitude for analysis and coordination of patient management. These results provide guidance that can be applied to education of medical students.