High-fidelity simulation and student performance in the Capstone Field Internship

Abstract

Despite the increased use of high-fidelity simulation in the education of paramedics, little research has been done into its impact on paramedic student performance. The objective of this quasi-experimental quantitative analysis was to investigate differences in the performance of students in the paramedic field internship between those trained using low-fidelity and those trained using high-fidelity simulation practices. Data were derived from the student field internship records from a community college-based paramedic programme in the United States, with students in two groups: a low-fidelity simulation group (2010–2013) and a high-fidelity simulation group (2014–2017). The students in the high-fidelity simulation group required fewer patient contacts to complete the internship than the students in the low-fidelity simulation group, demonstrating a significant improvement in student performance. While further studies are required to more fully investigate the use of high-fidelity simulation in paramedic education, this study provides necessary insight into the impact of high-fidelity simulation in the training of paramedics.