The educational effectiveness of blood pressure assessment on medical staff: simulation-based teaching method

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ability to perform accurate blood pressure assessment and improve technical competency using blood pressure assessment and improve technical competency using blood pressure (BP) simulator arm teaching model on hospital medical staff. Methods: Six hundred and six health care personnel participated in observational, open-label study performed during educational arterial hypertension project using programmable blood pressure simulators. Before lectures and practical sessions on blood pressure assessment participants measured BP based on their own knowledge. They were assigned to three groups: 1 - low BP (n=138); 2 - high BP (n=225); 3 - normal BP (n=243). Data of these measurements were collected and followed by teaching course on main BP measurement rules. After learning course BP measurement was repeated and data collected. Participants completed satisfaction surveys to assess the quality and benefits of the session. Results: First group composed 23% (programmed BP - 88/60 mmHg); second - 37% (programmed BP - 160/90 mmHg); third - 40% of participants (programmed BP - 120/80 mmHg) respectively. [...]..