Simulation training for medical emergencies in the dental setting using an inexpensive software application

• Published in: European journal of dental education Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. e350 - e357
• Main Authors: Kishimoto, N., Mukai, N., Honda, Y., Hirata, Y., Tanaka, M., Momota, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Anaphylaxis; Anaphylaxis - diagnosis; Anaphylaxis - therapy; Clinical Competence; Computer programs; Computer Simulation; dental education; Dental schools; Dentistry; Education, Dental - economics; Education, Dental - methods; Emergency medical care; Emergency Medicine - education; Emergency Treatment; Female; Humans; Japan; Male; medical emergency; patient simulation; Quantitative analysis; Simulation; Simulation Training; Software; Software - economics; software application; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syncope; Syncope, Vasovagal - diagnosis; Syncope, Vasovagal - therapy; Vasovagal syncope; Japan; medical emergency; patient simulation; dental education; software application
• ISSN: 1396-5883; 1600-0579
• DOI: 10.1111/eje.12301

Introduction Every dental provider needs to be educated about medical emergencies to provide safe dental care. Simulation training is available with simulators such as advanced life support manikins and robot patients. However, the purchase and development costs of these simulators are high. We have developed a simulation training course on medical emergencies using an inexpensive software application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the educational effectiveness of this course. Materials and Methods Fifty‐one dental providers participated in this study from December 2014 to March 2015. Medical simulation software was used to simulate a patient's vital signs. We evaluated participants' ability to diagnose and treat vasovagal syncope or anaphylaxis with an evaluation sheet and conducted a questionnaire before and after the scenario‐based simulation training. Results The median evaluation sheet score for vasovagal syncope increased significantly from 7/9 before to 9/9 after simulation training. The median score for anaphylaxis also increased significantly from 8/12 to 12/12 (P < .01). For the item “I can treat vasovagal syncope/anaphylaxis adequately,” the percentage responding “Strongly agree” or “Agree” increased from 14% to 56% for vasovagal syncope and from 6% to 42% for anaphylaxis with simulation training. Conclusions This simulation course improved participants' ability to diagnose and treat medical emergencies and improved their confidence. This course can be offered inexpensively using a software application.