Anesoft Anesthesia Simulator compared to mannequin-based simulator

Nyssen AS, Larbuisson R, Janssens M, Pendeville P, Mayne A:

A Comparison of the Training Value of Two Types of Anesthesia Simulators:
Computer Screen-Based and Mannequin-Based Simulators

Anesthesia and Analgesia 2002; 94: 1560-1565

The use of the inexpensive Anesoft screen-based Anesthesia Simulator program was shown to improve response to simulated emergencies as much as mannequin-based simulators.

In this study ten anesthesia trainees were trained to handle anaphylaxis on the screen-based Anesthesia Simulator, ten were trained to handle malignant hyperthermia on the screen-based Anesthesia Simulator, ten were trained to handle anaphylaxis on the mannequin-based anesthesia simulator and ten were trained to handle malignant hyperthermia on the mannequin-based anesthesia simulator. One month later all subjects were evaluated on their management of anaphylaxis.

The results showed that learning in managing simulated crisis situations such as anaphylactic shock did not vary significantly between mannequin-based simulators and computer screen-based simulators.

Furthermore, this study supports the use of the screen-based training to achieve technical skills in treating simulated crisis situations.