Effects of using simulation versus CD-ROM in the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia

The purpose of this study was to determine which method of teaching, CD-ROM, simulation, or a combination of both, was more effective in increasing the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. No studies have investigated these methods. The framework for this study was critical thinking. The study was a prospective, mixed (between and within) subjects, experimental design. The sample consisted of 29 student registered nurse anesthetists randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: CD-ROM (n = 11), simulation (n = 11), and combination (n = 7). All groups were evaluated by the use of cadavers before and 2 months after the intervention using a valid and reliable instrument of performance. A repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the combination was significantly better than the CD-ROM and simulation (P <.05). The means and standard deviations for pretest and posttest results, respectively, were: CD-ROM, 33 ± 7%, 41 ± 9%; simulation, 35 ± 10%, 49 ± 13%; and combination, 36 ± 8%, 64 ± 17%. The baseline for each group was 0. Use of a combination of CD-ROM and simulation should be considered in teaching ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques.