Severe Malaria Simulation Scenario

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a manikin-based, high-fidelity simulation case on severe malaria. Though widely prevalent globally, malaria in immigrants and returned travelers is an uncommon, life-threatening disease that poses a challenge to medical education in nonendemic countries. Severe malaria is a true emergency and requires time-sensitive critical actions. High-fidelity simulation is particularly well suited to teaching the emergency management of severe malaria; our objective was to develop a novel teaching tool for severe malaria that emphasizes predefined learning objectives for the disease. The case involves a woman recently returned to the US from Nigeria with fever, headache, and vomiting. During her stay in the emergency department, she rapidly deteriorates and develops manifestations of severe malaria, notably, coma and severe acidosis. Key concepts include recognition of the disease, timely administration of antimalarial medications, and appropriate supportive care. Debriefing materials provide in-depth discussion of the case, as well as general background on malaria. This scenario has been field tested six times over the last year with groups of three to four emergency medicine residents and medical students rotating through the emergency department.

Keywords

• Fever
• Falciparum
• Malaria
• Traveler
• Quinine
• Quinidine