High-Fidelity Simulation: Preparing Dental Hygiene Students for Managing Medical Emergencies. 2015

Lisa A Bilich, and Sarah C Jackson, and Brenda S Bray, and Megan N Willson
Prof. Bilich is Associate Professor, Dental Hygiene Department, Eastern Washington University; Prof. Jackson is Associate Professor, Dental Hygiene Department, Eastern Washington University; Prof. Bray is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Director of Assessment, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University; and Dr. Willson is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University. lbilich@ewu.edu.

Medical emergencies can occur at any time in the dental office, so being prepared to properly manage the situation can be the difference between life and death. The entire dental team must be properly trained regarding all aspects of emergency management in the dental clinic. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new educational approach using a high-fidelity simulator to prepare dental hygiene students for medical emergencies. This study utilized high-fidelity simulation (HFS) to evaluate the abilities of junior dental hygiene students at Eastern Washington University to handle a medical emergency in the dental hygiene clinic. Students were given a medical emergency scenario requiring them to assess the emergency and implement life-saving protocols in a simulated "real-life" situation using a high-fidelity manikin. Retrospective data were collected for four years from the classes of 2010 through 2013 (N=114). The results indicated that learning with simulation was effective in helping the students identify the medical emergency in a timely manner, implement emergency procedures correctly, locate and correctly utilize contents of the emergency kit, administer appropriate intervention/treatment for a specific patient, and provide the patient with appropriate follow-up instructions. For dental hygiene programs seeking to enhance their curricula in the area of medical emergencies, this study suggests that HFS is an effective tool to prepare students to appropriately handle medical emergencies. Faculty calibration is essential to standardize simulation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007858 Learning Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge. Phenomenography
D008020 Life Support Care Care provided patients requiring extraordinary therapeutic measures in order to sustain and prolong life. Extraordinary Treatment,Prolongation of Life,Care, Life Support,Extraordinary Treatments,Life Prolongation,Treatment, Extraordinary,Treatments, Extraordinary
D008348 Manikins Inanimate physical models which bear likeness to human beings and are used for various purposes in place of humans. Mannequins,Manikin,Mannequin
D003756 Dental Hygienists Persons trained in an accredited school or dental college and licensed by the state in which they reside to provide dental prophylaxis under the direction of a licensed dentist. Dental Hygienist,Hygienist, Dental,Hygienists, Dental
D004630 Emergencies Situations or conditions requiring immediate intervention to avoid serious adverse results. Emergency
D004638 Emergency Treatment First aid or other immediate intervention for accidents or medical conditions requiring immediate care and treatment before definitive medical and surgical management can be procured. Emergency Therapy,Therapy, Emergency,Emergency Therapies,Emergency Treatments,Therapies, Emergency,Treatment, Emergency,Treatments, Emergency
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066908 Simulation Training A highly customized interactive medium or program that allows individuals to learn and practice real world activities in an accurate, realistic, safe and secure environment. Interactive Learning,Learning, Interactive,Training, Simulation
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D013334 Students Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program. School Enrollment,Enrollment, School,Enrollments, School,School Enrollments,Student

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