S Cousins, M Huttman, N Blencowe, C Tsang, D Elliott, J Blazeby, D J Beard, M K Campbell, K Gillies
Patient information leaflets for placebo-controlled surgical trials: a review of current practice and recommendations for developers
Trials
background despite recent wave interest shown highfidelity simulators represent new concept healthcare education simulators part clinical education since 1950s growth patient simulation core educational tool driven number factors declining inpatient populations concerns patient safety advances learning theory forcing healthcare educators look alternatives traditional clinical encounter skill acquisition students objective aim review identify best available evidence effectiveness using simulated learning experiences prelicensure health profession education inclusion criteria types studies review considered experimental quasiexperimental studies addressed effectiveness using simulated learning experiences prelicensure health profession practice absence randomised controlled trials research designs considered inclusion limited nonrandomised controlled trials beforeandafter studies review included participants prelicensure practitioners nursing medicine rehabilitation therapy types interventionsphenomena interest studies evaluated use human physical anatomical models without computer support including wholebody partbody simulators included types outcome measures student outcomes included knowledge acquisition skill performance learner satisfaction critical thinking selfconfidence role identity search strategy using defined search retrieval method following databases accessed period 19952006 medline cinahl embase psycinfo healthstar cochrane database systematic reviews eric methodological quality paper assessed two independent reviewers methodological quality prior inclusion review using standardised critical appraisal instruments evidence effectiveness developed joanna briggs institute disagreements dealt consultations third reviewer data collection information extracted paper independently two reviewers using standardised data extraction tool joanna briggs institute disagreements dealt consultation third reviewer data synthesis due type designs quality available studies possible pool quantitative research study results statistical metaanalysis statistical pooling possible findings presented descriptive narrative form results twentythree studies selected inclusion review including partial task trainers highfidelity human patient simulators results indicate high learner satisfaction using simulators learn clinical skills studies demonstrated human patient simulators used teaching higher level skills airway management physiological concepts useful shortterm gains knowledge skill performance evident performance skills time initial training decline conclusion best simulation used adjunct clinical practice replacement everyday practice students enjoyed sessions using models purportedly makes learning easier however remains unclear whether skills learned simulation experience transfer realworld settings research needed evaluate whether skills acquired teaching methodology transfer practice setting impact simulation training team function