Spatial Orientation and Fiberoptic Intubation Skills in the Novice: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Airway Management

Fiberoptic Intubation, Medical student, Virtual larynx, Didactic Training, Medical Education

Does spatial orientation of a novice in relation to a mannequin (supine vs upright) impact on the development of fiberoptic intubation skills? Is it necessary to teach both orientations or is the supine view transferable to the upright position? Which method demonstrates longer skill retention? The hypotheses: Both orientations must be practiced and the upright skill is harder to learn but is retained for longer.

Following IRB approval, written consent to participate in the study will be obtained from medical students Phase one : Forty medical students, novices in fiberoptic intubation use will be recruited and randomly assigned into one of two groups: Group A (supine-supine) will first practice fiberoptic intubation with the iLarynx oriented in the supine position. Learning curves, global rating scale and checklist will then be obtained by a blinded examiner with the medical student using a real fiberoptic on a mannequin oriented in the SUPINE then UPRIGHT position. At the end of one week,the same medical student will then perform the intubation with the mannequin in both positions. Group B (upright-upright) will first practice fiberoptic intubation with the iLarynx oriented in the upright position. Learning curves, global assessment score and checklist will then be obtained by a blinded examiner with the medical student using a real fiberoptic on a mannequin oriented in the UPRIGHT then SUPINEposition.At the end of one week, the same medical student will then perform the intubation with the mannequin in both positions. Group C( supine -upright) will first practice fiberoptic intubation with the iLarynx oriented in the supine position. Learning curves, global assessment score and checklist will then be obtained by a blinded examiner with the medical student using a real fiberoptic on a mannequin oriented in the UPRIGHT then SUPINE position. At the end of one week, The same medical student will then perform the intubation with the mannequin in both positions. Group D( upright - supine) will first practice fiberoptic intubation with the iLarynx oriented in the upright position. Learning curves, global assessment score and checklist will then be obtained by a blinded examiner with the medical student using a real fiberoptic on a mannequin oriented in the SUPINE then UPRIGHT position. At the end of one week, the same medical student will then perform the intubation with the mannequin in both positions. teaching testing testing week testing testing Group A supine supine upright random random random random B upright upright supine random random random random C supine upright supine random random random random D upright supine upright random random Phase two: Study candidates will randomly be assigned(20 per group) to practice for 15minutes/day their intubations skills with the iLarynx application downloaded to their smart phones or iPads. The other group (20candidates) will be asked not to practice their intubation skills. At the end of one week both groups will be retested on a mannequin by the same blinded examiner to obtain a new learning curve, global assessment score and checklist. Both orientations of the mannequin will be tested and the order randomly assigned.

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