Comparison of Arterial Puncture Skill Improvement Between Training with an Arterial Puncture Part-Task Trainer Simulator and Conventional Training in Fifth-Year Medical Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial puncture is a fundamental procedural skill that medical trainees must acquire. However, it carries a risk of serious complications, particularly when performed by inexperienced operators. This study aimed to develop an arterial puncture part-task trainer to enhance skill acquisition among medical students and to compare arterial puncture performance between simulator-based training and conventional training in fifth-year medical students. Methods: This experimental study was conducted from January 26, 2024, to April 11, 2024, and included twenty-two fifth-year medical students undergoing emergency department training at Ramathibodi Hospital. Participants performed arterial punctures on patients, and all procedures were recorded on video. Three independent raters evaluated the recordings using a standardized procedural checklist. The primary outcome was the total arterial puncture procedural checklist score during the initial patient-based assessment. The intervention group additionally underwent a reassessment two weeks after simulator training to evaluate skill retention. Continuous variables were analyzed using Student’s t-test, while categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: During the study period, the intervention group (n=10) achieved a significantly higher total skill score (37.1 ± 3.2) compared to the control group (n=12), which had a score of 33.25 ± 3.8 (p = 0.016). Additionally, the total self-confidence scores significantly increased from 23.5 to 25.6 (p = 0.040). Participants expressed strong satisfaction with the arterial puncture part-task trainer, with a mean rating of 3.68 for its suitability for practicing arterial puncture and a mean rating of 3.86 for its potential use in medical student training. Conclusion: Although this pilot study involved a relatively small sample size, the arterial puncture part-task trainer simulator significantly improved both procedural skill performance and self-confidence in performing arterial punctures.