Evaluation of non-technical skills among emergency medicine residents in the management of severe trauma: a prospective study using simulation

• Amina Jebali

  Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

• Hela Manai

  Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

• Taycir Kharraz

  Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

• Samia Arfaoui

  Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

• Saida Zelfani

  Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

Background: Learning through simulation is not mainly about technical skills. Non-technical skills, which are part of the prerequisite competencies for professionals working in emergency care, can be worked on through simulation as well.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the learning of non-technical skills in the care of a severe trauma patient and to study the retention of these non-technical skills after one month of simulation sessions.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, descriptive and single-center study carried out at the Northeast SAMU01 Emergency Care Teaching Center (CESU01) over a period of one year.

The use of a hetero-evaluation score of non-technical skills by the Anaesthetists’ Non-Technical Skills (ANTS score) was carried out by an observing instructor for all participants during the simulation session and one month later.

Results: We included 30 residents. The average age was 28 years old with a sex ratio of 4. Twenty-one residents (70%) had already benefited from simulation training. Participants significantly improved their situational awareness skill (3.6 vs 3.95 with p= 0.026); decision-making (3.41 vs 3.52 with p= 0.043) and teamwork (1.72 vs 2.06 with p= 0.003) between the first session and one month later. The comparison of the evolution of different non-technical skills in the two groups” prior simulation training” and “no prior simulation training” showed a significant difference concerning the means at 01 month in the group “prior to training by simulation” (3.42 vs 3.92 with p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Health simulation is therefore a major educational tool in the learning of non-technical skills in emergency medicine

1. Amina Jebali, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

   Assistant professor, Emergency department, Beja regional hospital

2. Hela Manai, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

   Associate professor, Emergency urgent medical assistance center

3. Taycir Kharraz, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

   Assistant professor, Emergency urgent medical assistance center

4. Samia Arfaoui, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

   Assistant professor, Anesthesia and intensive care department, Habib Thameur Hospital

5. Saida Zelfani, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,Tunisia

   Associate professor, Emergency urgent medical assistance center, 

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