Mostafa Elbaba, MBBCh, MEd
Hamad Medical Corporation
Background: Simulation-based education is a popular learning modality in the field of medical education. Although it is commonly used in pediatrics, simulation use in preparation for pediatric objective structured clinical examination “OSCE” is minimal in the research body. Membership of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health “MRCPCH” clinical exam is an OSCE format exam which was established in the UK and disseminated worldwide.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of hybrid simulation (combined manikin and standardized patient) in the preparation of pediatric trainees for short cases OSCE examination.
Methods: Data from 28 trainees preparing for the clinical exam have been analyzed. All the trainees attended the 3 day clinical workshop for the MRCPCH exam preparation designed and conducted by the researcher. Data extracted from 3 sources: questionnaire (pre and post workshop); short interviews during the workshop; and the researcher’s reflective journal. The hybrid simulation was used for short cases training during the workshop.
Results: Four major themes (and their subthemes) emerged from data analysis. These themes were: (1) Hybrid simulation is useful in short cases training, (2) Simulation is more effective compared to live patients training, (3) Hybrid simulation helps trainees pass the pediatric OSCE exam and (4) Trainees might be unaware of the effectiveness of simulation learning.
Conclusions: Hybrid simulation is an effective modality of training for short cases stations in pediatric postgraduate OSCE preparation. This study results suggest that simulation training might help MRCPCH clinical exam candidates pass their final exam. Recommendations are made regarding future researchers studying the use of different types of simulations for OSCE exam preparation.
