Implementation of a large-scale simulation-based cardiovascular clinical examination course for undergraduate medical students – a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Background We report the implementation of a large-scale simulation-based cardiovascular diagnostics course for undergraduate medical students. Methods A simulation-based course was integrated into the curriculum of second-year medical students (> 400 students/year). The first session aimed at teaching cardiac auscultation skills on mannequins and the second at teaching blood pressure measurement, peripheral arterial examination, and the clinical examination of heart failure in a technical skill-based manner and in a scenario. Results A total of 414 (99.8%) and 402 (98.5%) students, as well as 102 and 104 educators, participated during the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 academic years across both types of sessions. The number of positive appreciations by students was high and improved from the first to the second year (session 1: 77% vs. 98%, session 2: 89% vs. 98%; p 400 students/year was feasible, and students and educators reacted favorably.

Keywords

• Clinical education
• Mannequins
• Simulation
• Auscultation
• Heart sounds