Perception of Medical Students About the use of Simulators in Classes

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 06 | June - 2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 5.181 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 2631
Perception of medical students about the use of simulators in classes
Betty Bravo Zúñiga1, Ailyn Febles Estrada2,Juan P. Febles Rodríguez3, Alemania González
Peñafiel4
1Docente Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador
2Docente de Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas, Habana, Cuba
3Docente Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas, Habana, Cuba
4Docente Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Abstract - The article constitutes an approximation to
the way a group of students of the Catholic University of the
University of Guayaquil perceives the benefits of the use of
the simulators in the development of competences. On the
basis of an applied survey and the participant observation,
information is collected that allows to arrive at preliminary
conclusions on this important subject. The fact that a
minority of students are not convinced of the acquisition of
clinical skills with the use of simulators, in the opinion of
the authors, should not discourage research, because it was
proved, with qualitative methods, that the way of using it
by Part of the teachers was not always the most correct, it
is therefore a question of correcting the didactic and
methodological treatment.
Key Words: Simulators, medicine, clinical skills.
1. INTRODUCTION
Consistent with current policies, admission of
undergraduate students to public and private hospitals
for patient assessment is more restricted; Patients often
choose to avoid contact with students. In addition to the
possible damage that could result from an inadequate
assessment, or from a technically poorly executed
procedure, is added the fact that reproducing a physical
assessment, such as rectal tact, disturbs the privacy,
tranquility and well-being of another being human.
Medical students are expected to have cognitive mastery
and the acquisition of skills necessary for the
development of their practical exercise, by making the
right decisions for the patient, guaranteeing their safety.
For these restrictions and bioethical considerations, since
the late 1990s, the use of static simulators for procedures
and medical assessment were incorporated into the
practical classes of Gynecology, Obstetrics, Surgery,
Pediatrics and Anesthesiology.
The Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG),
constituted institution of Higher Education in 1962,
inaugurated the Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1968,
offering the Medical Career. However, the Faculty of
Medical Sciences does not have a University Hospital, so
all pre-professional practical classes are taught in public
or private hospitals in the city, belonging to institutions
with which there are cooperation and collaboration
agreements.
The outreach profile of the Medicine Career is
summarized in that the student acquires competencies
that allow him to correctly perform the procedures of
prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the
health problems of the individual, family and community.
In 2010, UCSG acquired approximately 40 static and
interactive simulation models, including high-end
mannequins capable of reproducing clinical,
gynecological, pediatric and surgical pathologies; In
addition to inducing simulated responses to drugs
administered during the process.
The simulator is an apparatus, based on a computer
processor that allows the reproduction of sensations that,
in fact, are not happening. They have been designed of
many types and are used in many areas of medical
training [1]
The simulators are developed in an interactive
environment, which allows the user to modify parameters
and see how the system reacts to the change produced. A
simulator is an apparatus that allows the simulation of a
system, reproducing its behavior. Simulators reproduce
sensations that are not really happening [2].
The use of simulators is based on the cognitive theory
that is born of the constructivist model. Learning is the
connection between knowledge and experience
understood, that when its conceptions are assimilated or
appropriated, it becomes the meaningful knowledge that
generates and stimulates critical and creative thinking. To
assert that the use of simulators in medical education is
not intended to replace, in all its extremes, the traditional
method Dieguez [3].
The traditional medical training, where its learning is
based on previous observation of the professional
practice of the teacher and after the repetitive execution
of processes or procedures invasive and not invasive to
the patient, by the student; Ensuring that the more
procedures performed in patients, professional

development in the professional area. Therefore, the
students of the higher cycles of the medical career,
learned at the head of the patient.
At present, there are many restrictions on the admission
of students to hospitals, violating privacy (bioethics) and
safety (avoiding iatrogenies) of the patient. Therefore,
Universities that have Medicine Careers, have initiated
the implementation of new models of learning-teaching,
through the use of simulated doctors.
Instruction and simulation-based education has
demonstrated its effectiveness in various areas of health.
[4]. [5]. Multiple studies have shown that simulation
improves the acquisition of medical knowledge, favors
the acquisition of certain technical skills and encourages
teamwork. [6].
2. METODOLOGY
A survey was applied to students of the seventh cycle at
the beginning of the B-2016 semester of the medical
course that took the optional course of deepening I
(clinical simulation), in the semester B 2015; Whose
population is 128 students.
Using the calculation based on a normal distribution, we
estimated the number of students who were randomly
selected to conduct the survey, with a confidence level of
99% to calculate an estimated proportion of 50% with
accuracy of 10% and a proportion Of 4% of losses; For
which an adjusted sample of 72 students of 76 was
established, in order to eliminate atypical data in the
survey result.
Table -1: Selection of the sample
SIZE OF THE SAMPLE AND ESTIMATION OF A
PROPORTION
Population (N)
128
Level of confidence (1-a)
99%
Accuracy (d)
10%
Expected proportion
50%
Sample size
72
3. RESULT
Of the 72 surveys defined as valid, the following results
are obtained:
Table - 2: Frequency of use of printed contents
1. How often has the contents printed on the
syllabus of the optional subject of deepening I
been addressed during the semester of the
course? O
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 3 4,17%
2 Hardly ever 7 9,72%
3 Sometimes 26 36,11%
4 Almost always 19 26,39%
5 Always 17 23,61%
72 100,00%
Regarding the follow-up to the syllabus, 36% agree that in
some cases they have addressed the topics set out in the
Optional Program for Deepening I; While a dilemma
exists when 26% report that they have very often seen
the contents declared in the syllabus; And 24% who have
been subject to the subjects of this subject, throughout
the semester. The minority adding up to 14% almost
never or never have seen the syllabus units during the
semester.
Table - 3: Frequency of use of the simulators
2. How often does the teacher use the simulators
in their classes? se the simulators in their classes?
Class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 1 1,39%
5 Always 14 19,44%
72 100,00%
39% of students agree that sometimes the teacher used
the simulators in class; While 28% report that they have
frequently used it, and 19% have always used the

simulators during the semester they chose to study this
subject.
Table 4: Integration of knowledge
3. How often did the simulation teacher give his / her
class, integrating existing knowledge and
relationships, with the other subjects?
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 0 0,00%
5 Always 30 41,67%
72 100,00%
Referred to the justification of the subject, which states
the application of theoretical-practical knowledge that
allows the acquisition of clinical skills and integrating
knowledge and relationships coexisting with other
subjects; The majority of students report that during
teacher praxis their teachers integrated this knowledge;
In relation to the minority of students who answered that
they almost never did.
Table 5: Use of the case stud
4. During your classes in the simulation lab, do case
studies or problem-based learnig?
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 3 4,17%
5 Always 14 19,44%
72 100,00%
In reference to the strategy and methodology of problem-
based learning, 30% of students agree that sometimes it
was applied, 21% reported that very often and 14% that
their teachers always used this educational strategy;
While 22% reported that they almost never or never used
it.
Table 6: Use of simulated clinical cases
5. How often are the teacher's classes organized by
reflection processes of the clinical cases simulated by
the Hal?
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 5 6,94%
5 Always 12 16,67%
72 100,00%
The sum of the percentage 22% of those students who
answered this question, declare that their teachers have
never or hardly ever reflected on the clinical cases
simulated by the Hal, 33% report that sometimes, 28%
agree that almost always and 17% assure that they have
always done reflection of the cases.
Reference is made to the importance of the debriefing in
the simulation, so it is inconsistent that, when giving the
classes of optional I deepening, there is no reflection that
leads to feedback of the correct answers and amendment
of errors in practice. This question also relates to the use
of simulators and the strategic application of problem-
based learning; for which, we see answers that do not
connect this relationship.
Table 7: Use of laboratories in extracurricular time
6. How often do you have access to the simulation
laboratory, in extracurricular times to practice
clinical processes?
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Never 45 62,50%

5 Always 2 2,78%
72 100,00%
Although this question does not respond to the
relationship of the class with the teacher, it does so with
the use of the simulation laboratory in extracurricular
hours. It is true that for the cost of these high-tech
equipment the laboratory is restricted to students who
were not accompanied by a teacher. It was suggested that
staff working as an occasional technical teacher should be
in two shifts to allow students to enter at any time that
does not correspond to their class time and if there is
availability of the use of the equipment.
Prior to this antecedent, the majority of the students 63%
answered that they never have access to the Laboratory
of simulation, almost never 14%. The incoherent is how
11% sometimes have access to the laboratory and even
more 6% almost always or always.
Table 8: Perceives that it has acquired competences with
the use of simulators
7. Do you believe that at the end of the semester and
the subject of IPO you have acquired clinical skills,
through the use of simulators?
class
Absolute
frequency
Relative
frequency
1 Yes 45 62,50%
2 No 27 37,50%
72 100,00%
4- CONCLUSIONS
The main objective of the subject and its learning results
support the acquisition of clinical competences. The
minority of students, 38% are not convinced of the
acquisition of these skills through the use of simulators;
As opposed to 63% who confirm having acquired clinical
competences at the end of their semester.
In another aspect of student pedagogical counseling, a
small number of students have presented discomfort with
regard to optative and deepening teachers I, testifying
that their teachers teach theoretical classes where the
simulators are almost not used and do not go according to
the program of Contents that the syllabus declares, for
this subject. In V cycle these students begin their
approach to the clinic and pathophysiology, but it seems
that when teaching their classes they do it through the
use of mannequins where the students are taught
invasive processes that respond to the VIII cycle where
they see subjects related to Surgical Clinic and Surgery
less in
On the other hand, it seems that their teachers do
integrate a bag of knowledge to teach their classes,
obtaining a reduced discrepancy in reference to the total
percentage of the number of students surveyed in terms
of the results shown in the table.
Several researchers have found that the use of
simulations shortens the time required for the
development of competencies, especially since the
training can be repeated as many times as necessary until
the skills are acquired and in a shorter time. In addition,
simulation-based learning curves are better than curves
based on classical training. [7].
Within the analysis about the reflection of praxis in
clinical simulation, reference is made as a structure of
meaningful learning the debriefing allows the feedback of
knowledge and learning reinforcements of the processes
learned during the practice.
This question also relates to the use of simulators and the
strategic application of problem-based learning; for
which, we see answers that do not connect this
relationship. Therefore, one can not only perform
reflection on praxis without discussing the specific
clinical case for this practice of simulation.
4. DISCUSSION
Each practice, in the center or simulation laboratory,
leads the teacher and students to reflect their praxis and
immediate feedback, by observing and discussing
recordings or records of processes performed in the
simulator, where the performance of simulated or
problem-based clinical situations can be assessed.
The same clinical scenario, allows the teacher to organize
collaborative work groups, so that the student develops
leadership and learns to make decisions under group
consensus; Since, in the professional praxis, the health
team is multidisciplinary.
It optimizes the development of clinical skills by
repeating the process continuously, learning by mistake
as many times as necessary for its learning and
consciously approaching the consequences of iatrogeny
and its pertinent corrections.

Another advantage to emphasize is that clinical cases that
do not require the availability of pathologies present in
hospitals, that is to say, many times in the schedules of
the units embodied in the syllabus, have not been
practiced because there is no patient who has that
pathology at that time, in the hospital. The most relevant
of the advantages is after his career, when he avoids
iatrogenias or additional risks by an invasive procedure
to his patients.
This learning environment should be considered as an
area of medical research, through clinical praxis, in which
the student can improve the techniques of the process
that has been taught to him. Some high-fidelity simulators
make it easier for the teacher to evaluate students and
control over the time of use. It also allows the student to
observe the student immersed in a collaborative work
during his praxis and how he improves his learning
during the semester.
4.1 How to innovate the teaching didactics that allows
the motivation necessary to reach a significant
learning in the students?
One of the current objectives of neuroscience is the
foundation of the application of new strategies, which
allow the reinforcement of neuronal plasticity during the
class and that generates a state of alertness or attention,
modifying our perception. Researches in the field of
cognitive neuroscience, which consolidate educational
theories and models influencing learning, are analyzed,
with improvements to the didactic teaching and the
application of new teaching methodologies.
Therefore, it is postulated the need to know how these
learning environments are innovated from the
neuroscientific educational base, which tribute to new
teaching strategies and to the optimization of these
virtual scenarios.
Information and Communication Technologies are
essential resources for the creation of new clinical
scenarios and educational environments, which acquire
value by the elements that comprise it, such as high
fidelity technology, affordances (it is the quality of the
objects or the Properties of an environment or prepared
environment that stimulates a person to perform a series
of behavioral actions), continuous feetback and giving
relevance to the simultaneous interactions of its main
student teacher actors.
It is suggested that this learning based on simulation can
become a motivational strategy when they find answers
to the questions that arise from the self study of the
dicent.
These reinforcement processes can be stimulated through
the innovation and implementation of virtual learning
environments, such as: affordances integrated in medical
simulation labs; Which improve the functionality of
virtual scenarios simulating realities of their professional
praxis; Where they can learn by doing and intervening
from their experience, using the heuristic model and the
methodology of problem-based learning.
REFERENCES
[1]. Escobar J. (2016). Reflexiones bioéticas acerca de la
enseñanza de la medicina en simuladores electrónicos.
Rev Colomb Bioética, 1; 1: 63-87.
[2]. Peña, P. (2009). Teoría de simuladores.Universidad
de Córdoba, Colombia
[3]. Dieguez J. (2010). Importancia de los simuladores
virtuales en la docencia de cirugía abdominal
mínimamente invasiva. Rev Horiz Med; 10(1):42-46
[4]. Gaba, D.M. (2004) The future vision of simulation in
health care. Qual Saf Health Care; 13 Suppl1:12-10.
[5]. Gaba D.M. (2000) Anesthesiology as a model for
patient safety in health care. BMJ, 320 (7237):785-
788
[6]. Sanchez LD, Delapena J, Kelly SP, et al. Procedure lab
used to improve confidence in the performance of
rarely performed procedures. Eur J Emerg Med
2006;13(1)
[7]. Vázquez-Mata, G., Guillamer Lloveras, A. (2009). El
entrenamiento basado en la simulación como
innovación imprescindible en la formación médica
Educación Médica 12(3), 149-145
BIOGRAPHIES
Doctora en Medicina. Docente
Universidad Católica de Santiago
de Guayaquil, Ecuador
Doctora en Informática. de
Universidad de las Ciencias
Informáticas, Habana, Cuba
Doctor en Informática. de
Universidad de las Ciencias
Informáticas, Habana, Cuba

Magister en Educación a
Distancia.
Docente Universidad
Católica de Santiago de
Guayaquil, Ecuador

Perception of Medical Students About the use of Simulators in Classes

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