O7 Effectiveness of simulation-based medical education in teaching cardiac auscultation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Research suggests that simulation-based medical education (SBME) can benefit teaching cardiac auscultation (McKinney et al., 2013). This systematic review aimed to address the gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of SBME in cardiac auscultation training for healthcare professionals within randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Literature searches were performed on Medline, Embase, PsychInfo and Cinahl. RCTs that compared the effectiveness of A) SBME versus usual/traditional teaching or B) comparing different forms of SBME in teaching cardiac auscultation to different healthcare professionals were included. Outcomes were knowledge, skills and satisfaction relating to cardiac auscultation education. Data were analysed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results 15 RCTs (n=913) were included in this review. 10 RCTs (n=550) compared SBME versus usual teaching. The effect sizes for knowledge and skills were 1.04 (95%CI 0.78–1.29; p< 0.00001) and -0.72 (95%CI -1.97–0.52; p=0.26) respectively (figure 1). 5 RCTs (n=363) compared two forms of SBME. The pooled effect sizes for knowledge and skills were 0.73 (95%CI -1.99–0.53; p=0.26) and 0.32 (95%CI -0.75–1.39; p=0.56) respectively (figure 2). • Download figure • Open in new tab • Download powerpoint Abstract O7 Figure 1 Conclusions SBME has effective results in knowledge and skills for teaching cardiac auscultation. Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of different forms of SBME for different educational interventions. References • Kunz, R., Gunn, E., Oxman, A. (2007). Randomisation to protect against selection bias in healthcare trials. The Cochrane Library. 2. • McKinney, J, Cook, D., Wood, D., Hatala, R. (2013). Simulation-Based Training for Cardiac Auscultation Skills: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 28(2): 283–291. • Mangione, S., Nieman, L., Gracely, E., Kaye, D. (1993). The teaching and practice of cardiac auscultation during internal medicine and cardiology training. A nationwide survey. Annual of Internal Medicine. 119(1): 47–54. • Vukanovic-Criley J., Criley S., Warde C., Boker J., Guevara-Matheus L., Churchill W., Nelson W., Criley J. (2006). Competency in cardiac examination skills in medical students, trainees, physicians, and faculty: a multicenter study. JAMA Internal Medicine. 166(6):610–6.