Video-Assisted Simulation with Audience Response (VASAR): An Educationally Efficient and Scalable Model for Medical Education Simulation.

PURPOSE: High-fidelity simulation offers invaluable educational benefits in medical education. It provides the opportunity to develop critical communication and crisis resource management skills, but depends upon a high level of resources including technical equipment, a simulated environment, and instructors with expertise in simulation. This study aimed to develop an educational model that provided some of the benefits of simulation but with increased educational efficiency.

METHODS

The intervention was implemented at a specialty continuing medical education conference. This study combined video scenarios, role-playing, team-based learning strategies, and audience response systems to create Video-Assisted Simulation with Audience Response (VASAR). Post-session questionnaire data was compared between traditional high-fidelity simulation and VASAR. Data was also compared to questionnaire responses from separate experiences with high-fidelity simulation.

RESULTS

The study included 70 participants. The data suggest that participants found VASAR to be useful (96%) and realistic (92%). Both video and audience response systems were felt to be valuable (96% and 92%). Participants indicated the workshop would help them practice more safely (80%). In comparison of VASAR with traditional high-fidelity simulation, there were no statistical differences for usefulness of the course (p=0.53), feedback from debriefers (p=0.14), or recommending the course to colleagues (p=0.48).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that Video-Assisted Simulation with Audience Response can provide an interactive simulated clinical experience which participants find useful to clinical practice, and that VASAR can provide a tool for future strategies in medical education.