Perceptions and Feedback of Medical Students regarding Simulation Based Learning at Dow Medical College Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the medical students’ perception and feedback of Simulation Based Teaching at Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan during the period December 2024 to January 2025. All final year students of DMC were given a chance to participate in this study. Online Google Form was created, and no personal data was collected. The questionnaire measured three domains of student’s perception to teaching at simulation lab.

Results: A total of 112 students participated in the study. Satisfaction was defined if the mean score of a factor was ≥ 3.0. The mean satisfaction score with respect to the first domain which is related to SBL, simulation laboratory and instructors was 4.3±0.80. The mean score related to the second domain related to positive aspects of SBL was 4.29 ±0.70. Reverse coding was done for three questions in the third domain namely the negative aspects of SBL. The mean score of the third domain was found to be 2.61±1.01.

Conclusion: Study reveal a favourable perception of medical students to SBL with regards to the teachers, the realism of the scenarios and the beneficial effects of SBL concerning its helpfulness in retaining medical knowledge, improving communication skills and confidence in dealing with future emergency situations. Our results also reveal a significant need in increasing the number of manikins’ and teachers/instructors at the simulation laboratory.