Satisfaction of medical students with simulation based learning

OBJECTIVES To evaluate medical students' satisfaction with simulation based learning strategy (SBL).   METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October  and November 2013 at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All third and fourth year medical students (n=185) both males and females were included. A self-developed questionnaire on the effect of SBL was used. Items included were related to knowledge, skill, environment, resources, and faculty. The questionnaire was validated by an expert reviewer, and the reliability was calculated for all the questionnaire items. Responses were measured on a 5 point Likert-type scale, and statistical analysis was carried out.   RESULTS The response rate for this study was 62% (n=115). The alpha coefficient for all items was 0.73. Overall, respondents from both years' students were satisfied with teaching strategy, use of mannequins, and learning environment. The challenges reported were lack of skill-laboratories facilities, students' cooperation, allocated time for skill-laboratories, and knowledge of instructor. There was a small, but significant difference between the satisfaction scores among genders (p=0.001). Whereas no difference was identified between the participants' scores on satisfaction with SBL and year of education (p=0.62).   CONCLUSION Although there were few challenges, most of the students were satisfied that SBL improved their knowledge retention, skills, and communication.