The DOI matches its Crossref record; 48 of the 48 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Simulation-based training is superior to problem-based learning for the acquisition of critical assessment and management skills*
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether full-scale simulation (SIM) is superior to interactive problem-based learning (PBL) for teaching medical students acute care assessment and management skills. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Simulation center at a U.S. medical school. SUBJECTS: Thirty-one fourth-year medical students in a week-long acute care course. INTERVENTIONS: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, eligible students were randomized to either the SIM or PBL group. On day 1, all subjects underwent a simulator-based initial assessment designed to evaluate their critical care skills. Two blinded investigators assessed each student using a standardized checklist. Subsequently, the PBL group learned about dyspnea in a standard PBL format. The SIM group learned about dyspnea using the simulator. To equalize simulator education time, the PBL group learned about acute abdominal pain on the simulator, whereas the SIM group used the PBL format. On day 5, each student was tested on a unique dyspnea scenario. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean initial assessment and final assessment checklist scores and their change for the SIM and PBL groups were compared using the Student's t-test. A p < .05 was considered significant. The SIM and PBL groups had similar mean (PBL 0.44, SIM 0.47, p = .64) initial assessment scores (earned score divided by maximum score) and were deemed equivalent. The SIM group performed better than the PBL group on the final assessment (mean, PBL 0.53, SIM 0.72, p < .0001). When each student's change in score (percent correct on final assessment minus percent correct on the initial assessment) was compared, SIM group students performed better (mean improvement, SIM 25 percentage points vs. PBL 8 percentage points, p < .04) CONCLUSIONS: For fourth-year medical students, simulation-based learning was superior to problem-based learning for the acquisition of critical assessment and management skills.
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In the citing paper
“two of them were randomized (in one case favoring simulation-based learning [80] and another favoring lectures [81])”
From Effectiveness of problem-based learning methodology in undergraduate medical education: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [80]
In the citing paper
“Only three studies reported that PBL was less effective [79–81]”
From Effectiveness of problem-based learning methodology in undergraduate medical education: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [80]
In the citing paper
“There are two studies that show neutral [71] or superior [80] results to simulation for the acquisition of specific clinical skills.”
From Effectiveness of problem-based learning methodology in undergraduate medical education: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [80]
Citations
Cites
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- Vardi, 2002, Isr Med Assoc J, 4, 540
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The Utility of Simulation in Medical Education: What Is the Evidence?
Okuda, Y., Bryson, E. O., DeMaria, S., Jacobson, L., Quinones, J., Shen, B., & Levine, A. I. (2009) · Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine A Journal of Translational and Personalized Medicine · doi:10.1002/msj.20127 · Cited by 1,217
Learning in immersive worlds: A review of game-based learning
de Freitas, S. (2006) · Jisc Repository (Jisc) · Cited by 479
Trullàs, J. C., Blay, C., Sarri, E., & Pujol, R. (2022) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-022-03154-8 · Cited by 473
Using Simulation-Based Training to Enhance Management Education
Eduardo Salas, A., Wildman, J. L., & Piccolo, R. F. (2009) · Academy of Management Learning and Education · doi:10.5465/amle.2009.47785474 · Cited by 406
Effective in-service training design and delivery: evidence from an integrative literature review
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Metadata
- Authors
- Steadman, R. H., Coates, W. C., Huang, Y. M., Matevosian, R., Larmon, B. R., McCullough, L., & Ariel, D.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Venue
- Critical Care Medicine
- Published
- 2006-01
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 151-157
- ISSN
- 0090-3493 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2081482807
- Cited by
- 565
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 11.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Care Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare
- Social Sciences › Education › Innovations in Medical Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Surgical Simulation and Training
- Keywords
- simulation-based training, problem-based learning, medical education, dyspnea, acute abdominal pain, medical students, skill acquisition
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Clinical Competence, Critical Care, Curriculum, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Educational Measurement, Female, Humans, Male, Sensitivity and Specificity, Students, Medical, Patient Simulation, Critical Illness, Problem-Based Learning
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