• Scott J Millington, Roger Y Wong, Barry O Kassen, James M Roberts, and Irene W Y Ma.
• Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
• J Hosp Med. 2009 Sep 1;4(7):410-6.

BackgroundEfficacy of simulators in teaching central venous catheterization (CVC) in an internal medicine residency program is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine whether or not learning CVC on simulators is associated with improvement in performance of CVC, knowledge about the procedure, and self-reported confidence.MethodsAll consenting first-year internal medicine residents who completed training in CVC on simulators were included. Participants were evaluated pre- and post-training by video-recorded CVC insertion and multiple-choice knowledge assessments. Procedural technique was rated in a blinded fashion by two independent adjudicators. Knowledge retention and self-reported confidence were reassessed at 18 months.MeasurementsPrimary outcome of CVC performance was assessed based on global rating score (minimum 1, maximum 5). Secondary measures include checklist score (out of ten), knowledge score and self-reported confidence (6-point Likert scale ranging from "none" to "complete").ResultsMedian global rating scores in 30 participants increased from 3.5 (IQR = 3-4) to 4.5 (IQR = 4-4.5) (P < 0.001). Checklist score increased from 9 (IQR = 6-9.5) to 9.5 (IQR = 9-9.5) (P < 0.001). Knowledge score increased from 65.7 +/- 11.9% to 81.2 +/- 10.7% (P < 0.001). Confidence increased from 3 ("moderate", IQR = 2-3) to 4 ("good", IQR=3-4) (P < 0.001). Sixteen participants completed the retention tests. Improvement in knowledge score and confidence at 18 months was retained compared with baseline (P = 0.002 and P < 0.0001 respectively).ConclusionsUse of simulators in teaching CVC in an internal medicine residency program results in improved procedural performance, knowledge, and self-reported confidence. Improvement in knowledge and confidence was retained at 18 months.Copyright 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.

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