The Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of a Simulation-Based Primary Care Procedural Skills Training Program for Advanced Practice Providers

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this program evaluation was to investigate the efficacy of simulation-based primary care procedural skills training to increase participant confidence, knowledge, and skill in performing the procedures included in the training and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the training. Methods: A retrospective, within-subjects analysis of the change in perceived confidence, skill, and knowledge in procedure performance after the simulation-based primary care procedural skills training program measured by pretraining and post-training Likert scale surveys and change in clinical procedure performance frequency for abscess incision and drainage and laceration repair up to 6 months before and 6 months after the training in the outpatient setting was performed. Results: Participants self-reported higher median confidence, perceived skill, and perceived knowledge of all procedures included in the training course, with statistically significant increases for all procedures. A mean increase in laceration repairs in the clinical setting of 10% after training was found. Higher median performance of abscess incision and drainage after training (median = 20.00%, n = 25) compared with before training (median = 0.00%, n = 25) and a mean increase in performance of abscess incision and drainage in the clinical setting of 6% after training was found, but increases were not statistically significant. Discussion: Participation in a 2-day simulation-based primary care procedural skills training program was an effective method to increase confidence, perceived skill, and knowledge of outpatient procedures among practicing providers. Further evaluation to establish return on investment is needed, because statistically significant increases in clinical procedure performance were unable to be demonstrated.

Early introduction of simulation in the medical curriculum: the MedInTo perspective

“…By definition, the simulation program should not replace clinical exposure. The available data on its effectiveness derive from limited experience on several specific tasks that use non-homogeneous assessment tools, often developed internally and not previously validated ( 67 – 69 ). The effectiveness also depends on the students' willingness to feel fully involved in the proposed clinical scenario, without underestimating the almost realistic nature of the situation.…”