Mastery Learning of ACLS among Internal Medicine

Background: Mastery learning has been employed to overcome poor retention of skills, but it is unclear what level of technological fidelity is necessary to achieve skill enhancement. Purpose: To test the effectiveness of widely available-technologichigh-psychological-fidelity simulation for enhancing skills in advanced life support procedures. Methods: 16 previously certified residents were pre-tested for resuscitation knowledge and skills, exposed to low-technicalhigh-psychological-fidelity simulations of resuscitation, tested immediately for knowledge and skills, and then tested again one year later for long-term retention. Results: Knowledge improved from pre-test to posttest (p .90). Skills improved pretest to posttest (p .11) and skill (p>.11).