• Michael P Avillion, Nolan N Jones, Adeeba F Ghias, Yoseph A Kram, Bryan J Liming, and Brian S Chen.
• Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96859, USA.
• Mil Med. 2023 Nov 3; 188 (11-12): e3463e3468e3463-e3468.

IntroductionMedical simulation is a continuously expanding field. In surgical specialties, in particular, simulation can provide an alternative avenue for learning. The objective of this process improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of adding simulation-based training to our educational curriculum regarding common otologic procedures.Materials And MethodsA low-cost, novel ear procedure simulator was designed and constructed from readily available clinic supplies. Participants were asked to fill out a pre-simulator survey to assess their own comfort and skill level before undergoing the simulation course. A pre-simulation PowerPoint training course was then administered to participants. The participants then underwent the simulation training course and were again asked to fill out a post-simulator training exercise survey to reassess their own comfort and skill level. Institutional review board approval was not required by Tripler Army Medical Center.ResultsA total of 15 participants consisting of junior residents in otolaryngology, third- and fourth-year medical students rotating on an otolaryngology clinical clerkship, and one physician assistant in otolaryngology were included in the study. There was a significant improvement in both provider comfort with the procedure and clinical performance of the procedure among participants after training on the simulation-based model.ConclusionsSimulation-based training provides a safe, effective, and cost-friendly alternative to clinical medical education. Future studies are needed to address the wide-scale applicability of these results to other forms of surgical training.Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2023. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

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