Models
They both work.
High fidelity models may appear and/or feel realistic. These tend to be more expensive, meaning fewer are available for student use. Low fidelity models may lack realism and still be very functional. Students tend to prefer the high fidelity models. To be effective, models need to stimulate students to practice the skill in a realistic manner. With attention paid to the crucial steps, both low and high fidelity models can be very effective.
Cadavers can be very useful and come closest to live tissue, particularly if kept fresh (vs embalmed or frozen).
NOVICE (network of veterinarians in continuing education) is a great source for ideas as is visiting other programs.
Simulation based training
Simulation based training has predominated in medical skills training. There is evidence that sims-based training success can transfer to real patients and can improve patient outcomes. Limited replication has been performed but results are supportive. The next step is to assess cost effectiveness of the programming due to expense (people, models and time).
Resources – models
JA Grimes et al. Evaluation of surgical models for training veterinary students to perform enterotomies. Vet Surg 2019;48:985–996.
DB Zetner et al. Training Cesarean Section. Simulation in Healthcare 2019, Vol.14(4), pp.264-270
JA Williamson et al. Comparison of 2 canine celiotomy closure models for training novice veterinary students Vet Surg 2019 Vol.48(6), pp.966-974
EM Perez-Merino et al. Comparison of the use of fresh-frozen canine cadavers and a realistic composite ex vivo simulator for training
in small animal flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy. JAVMA 2018 Vol.252(7), pp.839-845
M Aulman et al. Development and Evaluation of two Canine Low-Fidelity Simulation Models. JVME 2015, Vol.42(2), pp.151-60
R Langebaek et al. Features that contribute to the usefulness of low-fidelity models for surgical skills training Vet Rec (2012) 170, 361
Resources -sim training
R Brydges et al. Linking Simulation-Based Educational Assessments and Patient-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acad Med. 2015;90:246–256.
D Stefanidis et al. Simulation in surgery. What’s needed next. Annals of Surgery 2015, Vol 261 (5) 846-853
SR Dawe et al. A Systematic Review of Surgical Skills Transfer After Simulation-Based Training. Ann Surg 2014;259:236–248
WC McGaghie et al. Does Simulation-Based Medical Education With Deliberate Practice Yield Better Results Than Traditional Clinical Education? A Meta-Analytic Comparative Review of the Evidence. Acad Med. 2011;86:706–711.
