"No drain, no gain": Validation of novel quinsy simulation model.

OBJECTIVES:To test a novel, low-cost, home-made model for needle aspiration of PTA.To ascertain whether simulation-based teaching using this model was superior to lecture-based teaching in increasing confidence and reducing anxiety relating to PTA aspiration.To assess whether there was an improvement in outcomes for PTA patients at one hospital following the delivery of a simulation-based training session using our model. METHODS:We designed two teaching sessions for junior doctors starting work in ENT: a simulation-based teaching session using a low-cost home-made simulation model and a lecture-based teaching session covering the same content. We asked the participants to complete pre- and post-session surveys regarding confidence and anxiety levels and analyzed this data. We also retrospectively collected data over 3 months for patients referred to ENT with suspected PTA and assessed their outcomes. We assessed patient outcomes before and after the delivery of a simulation-based training course using our model. RESULTS:Simulation-based teaching using our model was shown to be associated with a statistically significant increase in junior doctors' confidence levels. Reaccumulation and reattendance rates for PTA following aspiration were 16.67% and 22.7% respectively preintervention and 0% and 7.14% respectively postintervention. CONCLUSION:A regular simulation-based teaching session should be introduced using a PTA aspiration model for junior doctors as it leads to increased confidence levels, and reduced reaccumulation and recurrence rates of PTA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level 4.