Improving the self-confidence level of medical undergraduates during emergencies using high fidelity simulation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Medical practice involves routinely making critical decisions regarding patient care and management. Many factors influence the decision-making process, and self-confidence has been found to be an important factor in effective decision-making. With the proper transfer of knowledge during their undergraduate studies, selfconfidence levels can be improved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of High Fidelity Simulation as a component of medical education to improve the confidence levels of medical undergraduates during emergencies. Methodology: Study participants included a total of 60 final year medical undergraduates during their rotation in Medical Senior Posting. They participated in a simulation exercise using a high fidelity simulator, and their confidence level measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The results found that the confidence levels of ‘Assessment of an Emergency Patient’, ‘Diagnosing Arrhythmias’, ‘Emergency Airway Management’, ‘Performing Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation’, ‘Using the Defibrillator’ and ‘Using Emergency Drugs’ showed a statistically significant increase in confidence levels after the simulation exercise. The mean confidence levels also rose from 2.85 to 3.83 (p<0.05). Conclusion: We recommend further use of High Fidelity Simulation in medical education to improve the confidence levels of medical undergraduates.