Background
Pre-clinical medical students at our institution are trained in sterile technique by volunteer scrub technicians in a simulated operating room experience. Standardized patients (SPs) have long been recognized for their contributions to medical education, but have yet to be broadly integrated into simulations that go beyond role play scenarios, such as scrub training. Their unique skill set makes them strong candidates to lead hands on simulation-based training sessions.
Methods
Pre-clinical medical students were invited by email to sign up for one of two optional scrub training workshops in our institution’s simulation center. One session was led by a scrub technician and a senior medical student, as it has been in the past. The other training was led by specially trained standardized patients. Students were asked to complete anonymous pre and post-surveys which collected demographics, attitudes towards simulation, attitudes towards the training itself, and a brief quiz on aseptic hand hygiene. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and t-tests were used to assess the relationship between groups. 
Results
Both the standardized patient group and the scrub tech group saw significant increases in their pre and post scores (0.7 to 0.9; p<0.01 for both groups). There was no appreciable difference when the post-scores of both groups (0.9 and 0.9) were compared to one another. Similarly, there was no significant difference between students’ perceived quality of the training nor their confidence in scrubbing in following the training (p=0.0805 and p=0.619, respectively). Overall, both groups saw a significant increase in their scrubbing confidence (p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that scrub training led by trained standardized patients is comparable to those led by scrub technicians. Both trainings were successful, as evidenced by increased quiz scores and increased scrubbing confidence. Importantly, learners did not perceive a qualitative difference between the two trainings. In the future, SP-led scrub training may lead to more flexibility in scheduling, and ultimately increased learner participation. Although already heavily utilized in medical education, scrub training may represent another area where SPs can meaningfully contribute.

Standardized Patients as Effective as Scrub Technicians at Scrub Training Medical Students

Medical Education Innovation | General Surgery

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Standardized Patients as Effective as Scrub Technicians at Scrub Training Medical Students

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