The Application of Low-fidelity Chest Tube Insertion Using Remote Telesimulation in Training Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Healthcare professionals practicing in rural, remote, or resource-restricted areas have little opportunity to practice "high stakes low-frequency" clinical procedures, despite having higher rates of injury-related death than city inhabitants. Availability of clinical skills instructors, the expense of practicing skills, lack of educational sessions, and distance to simulation centres can be a barrier to teaching and skill maintenance, particularly in rural settings. Telesimulation has the potential to overcome these challenges using audio-visual technology to connect rural learners with instructors in simulation centres. Using low-fidelity simulation models allows learners to acquire clinical skills through hands-on practice without risk or fear of harming real patients. Although not as realistic as high-fidelity models, the low-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) printed model for chest tube insertion is cost-effective and easy to set up and use and is a valid tool for teaching the clinical procedure. The purpose of this technical report was to describe the application of low-cost telesimulation to facilitate teaching chest tube insertion to medical students, emergency medicine residents, and doctors working in remote and rural environments.