The influence of low-fidelity simulator training on canine peripheral venous puncture procedure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Blood collection from dogs is the most commonly performed procedure in the medical clinic. However, different factors can interfere with the quality of the material collected, potentially causing complications for patients. Simulated skill training is a teaching strategy designed to provide early training to students, develop their skills and self-confidence, and increase the procedure's success while reducing complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate skill training using a low-fidelity simulator in the peripheral venipuncture procedure and examine the training's influence on the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To assess skill training, this study used a low-fidelity simulator in the peripheral venipuncture procedure and examines the training's effect on the procedure. In total, 100 dogs, 65 undergraduate students, 3 veterinarians, and 4 previously trained evaluators participated. The canine venipuncture procedure was evaluated both before and after the simulated skill training and the low-fidelity simulator training. Data were collected on participants' self-confidence levels.

RESULTS

Local complications occurred during practice; however, after training, they decreased. Gloves were more frequently used during the procedure, resulting in a reduction of both harvest attempts and complications, as well as increased levels of self-confidence in post-training participants. The simulator developed had low fidelity, low cost, and was easy to create.

CONCLUSION

Skill training in peripheral venipuncture using a low-fidelity simulator positively influences student learning, increases their self-confidence during harvesting, and reduces the complications of the procedure, improving patient well-being.