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The Resource Costs of Maintaining Learner Utilization of a Simulation Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Mitsakos, Anastasios T; Xanthoudakis, Eftechios; Irish, William; Robey, Walter C; Gilbird, Rebecca M; Cringan, Jessica; Haisch, Carl E.
  • Mitsakos AT; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Education, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Xanthoudakis E; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Education, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Irish W; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Research, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Robey WC; Department of Emergency Medicine, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Gilbird RM; Department of Academic Affairs, Division of Health Sciences, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Cringan J; Department of Academic Affairs, Division of Health Sciences, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
  • Haisch CE; Department of Academic Affairs, Division of Health Sciences, 12278Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
Am Surg ; : 31348211058637, 2021 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20239850
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Despite advances in online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on surgical simulation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the costs and resources required to maintain simulation training in the pandemic and to evaluate how it affected exposure of medical students to simulation during their surgical clerkship.

METHODS:

The number of learners, contact hours, staff hours, and costs were collected from a multi-departmental simulation center of a single academic institution in a retrospective fashion. Utilization and expenditure metrics were compared between the first quarter of academic years 2018-2020. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate potential differences between overall resource utilization before and during the pandemic, and subgroup analysis was performed for the resources required for the training of the third-year medical students.

RESULTS:

The overall number of learners and contact hours decreased during the first quarter of the academic year 2020 in comparison with 2019 and 2018. However, the staff hours increased. In addition, the costs for PPE increased for the same periods of time. In the subgroup analysis of the third-year medical students, there was an increase in the number of learners, as well as in the staff hours and in the space required to perform the simulation training.

DISCUSSION:

Despite an increase in costs and resources spent on surgical simulation during the pandemic, the utilization by academic entities has remained unaffected. Further studies are required to identify potential solutions to lower simulation resources without a negative impact on the quality of surgical simulation.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study Language: English Journal: Am Surg Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 00031348211058637

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study Language: English Journal: Am Surg Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 00031348211058637