Development and Evaluation of the Use of Local Materials for Medical Simulation in Cancer Education in Nigeria

Background: Lower competence and poorer training of healthcare professionals (HCP) are among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria. These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP. Access to modern, silicone-based simulation models is limited in Nigeria. Cassava starch and papaya fruits are widely available in Nigeria and the tropics, but not widely used for MS. Aim: Study describes the development and evaluation of the use of locally-available materials (cassava starch and immature papaya) as MS models for Papanicolaou test and breast biopsy. Methods: Immature papaya fruits were harvested and using a sharp knife, the stalk was removed to reveal the moist cavity. The space housing the stalk was simulated as the external cervical os (Fig 1). Dried cassava starch was sourced as waste from the pulp. About 100 g of starch was dissolved in...