Clinical simulation: Validation of a quality and satisfaction survey in a group of medicine students

Abstract

Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of simulation in teaching, but it is important to know the degree of student satisfaction with this strategy and to have a standardized instrument for this purpose. The objectives of this study were to validate the Durá Ros Clinical Simulation Quality and Satisfaction Survey and to analyze the relationship between the level of satisfaction, the number of subjects with simulation practices taken and the academic average. In an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, medical students from Universidad de Ciencias Sociales y Empresariales, who had taken subjects with clinical simulation (n=122), were included. The survey was presented as a self-administered form with Likert scale response options. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for hypothesis testing when comparing overall agreement levels according to age groups and dichotomised mean and Kruskal-Wallis for agreement level according to current year of study. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated between total score and grade point averages. In order to summarise the survey items into dimensions, a principal component analysis was performed. The median level of agreement was 5, except for realism of scenarios and duration of activities. No significant differences were found in the levels of agreement considering the number of subjects taken and the academic average. The absence of an association between satisfaction, number of subjects taken and GPA shows that the strategy per se is motivating for learning. The exploratory factor analysis suggests that the survey is valid and that the number of items in the survey could be reduced without affecting the dimensions considered.