Selvarajah Dilothi, Jolly Amanpreet K, Pabla Tanreet, Thomas Jaheim, Dubrowski Adam
Human Health Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, CAN.
Public Health, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, CAN.
Cureus. 2024 Nov 14;16(11):e73691. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73691. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Rural healthcare provider shortages have a severe impact on Canadians who seek care in rural and remote (R&R) settings, often arriving with poor health or medical emergencies. Healthcare providers working in such settings often face significant challenges in accessing skills development and maintenance courses to meet the unique medical demands of rural communities. As a result, it is vital to provide R&R healthcare providers with the appropriate simulation-based skills training. This approach led to the development of a Z-plasty and melanoma simulator tool, which was presented at a workshop during the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC) conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from April 20 to 22, 2023. The workshop aimed to familiarize participants with the procedures and instruments required for Z-plasty and melanoma excisions in R&R practice. This paper describes the development of the simulators used in the foundational skills workshop, attended by medical students, residents, and physicians. It also analyzes the workshop's findings to guide future enhancements. The Z-plasty and melanoma simulators were created using additive manufacturing techniques, including three-dimensional printing and silicone. Participants in the SRPC Rural and Remote Medicine Course evaluated the functionality and realism of the simulators and provided feedback for improvements, using the Michigan Standard Simulation Experience Scale. Quantitative data indicated that the Z-plasty simulator achieved an overall score of 4.03 on a 5-point Likert scale, while the melanoma simulator scored 4.15. Participants' feedback was categorized into three main areas: self-efficacy, realism, and educational value. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed three themes for the Z-plasty simulator: physical resilience, materials science, and skills development. Similarly, the melanoma simulator yielded two main themes: physical reliance and materials science. Overall, the simulators demonstrated effective hands-on practice, representing a sustainable method for developing skills-based competencies in Z-plasty and melanoma excisions for R&R settings. Feedback from workshop participants will inform ongoing improvements to the simulators and their integration into future training events.
农村医疗服务提供者短缺对在农村和偏远地区（R&R）寻求医疗服务的加拿大人产生了严重影响，这些人往往健康状况不佳或遭遇医疗紧急情况。在这种环境中工作的医疗服务提供者在获取技能发展和维持课程以满足农村社区独特的医疗需求方面常常面临重大挑战。因此，为农村和偏远地区的医疗服务提供者提供适当的基于模拟的技能培训至关重要。这种方法促成了Z成形术和黑色素瘤模拟器工具的开发，该工具在2023年4月20日至22日于安大略省尼亚加拉瀑布城举行的加拿大农村医师协会（SRPC）会议期间的一个研讨会上进行了展示。该研讨会旨在使参与者熟悉农村和偏远地区实践中Z成形术和黑色素瘤切除术所需的程序和器械。本文描述了基础技能研讨会上使用的模拟器的开发情况，医学生、住院医师和医生参加了该研讨会。它还分析了研讨会的结果以指导未来的改进。Z成形术和黑色素瘤模拟器是使用增材制造技术创建的，包括三维打印和硅胶。SRPC农村和远程医学课程的参与者使用密歇根标准模拟体验量表评估了模拟器的功能和逼真度，并提供了改进反馈。定量数据表明，Z成形术模拟器在5点李克特量表上的总体得分为4.03，而黑色素瘤模拟器得分为4.15。参与者的反馈分为三个主要领域：自我效能感、逼真度和教育价值。对数据的定性分析揭示了Z成形术模拟器的三个主题：物理弹性、材料科学和技能发展。同样，黑色素瘤模拟器产生了两个主要主题：物理依赖性和材料科学。总体而言，这些模拟器展示了有效的实践操作，代表了一种在农村和偏远地区环境中培养Z成形术和黑色素瘤切除术基于技能的能力的可持续方法。研讨会参与者的反馈将为模拟器的持续改进及其融入未来培训活动提供参考。
