Effects of Advanced Cardiac Procedure Simulator Training on Learning and Performance in Cardiovascular Medicine Fellows

Background:Simulation-based training has been used in medical training environments to facilitate the learning of surgical and minimally invasive techniques. We hypothesized that integration of a procedural simulation curriculum into a cardiology fellowship program may be educationally beneficial.Methods:We conducted an 18-month prospective study of cardiology trainees at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Two consecutive classes of first-year fellows (n = 17) underwent a teaching protocol facilitated by simulated cases and equipment. We performed knowledge and skills evaluations for 3 procedures (transvenous pacing [TVP] wire, intra-aortic balloon pump [IABP], and pericardiocentesis [PC]). The index class of fellows was reevaluated at 18 months postintervention to measure retention. Using nonparametric statistical tests, we compared assessments of the intervention group, at the time of intervention and 18 months, with those of third-year fellows (n = 7) who did not receive simulator-based training.Res...