Simulated Learning for Clinical Skill Acquisition and Retention: Report on a Research Project with Trainee Medical Interns

This paper reports on a research project conducted at the Advanced Clinical Skills Centre, University of Auckland, to determine whether the provision of a carefully engineered integrated virtual reality simulator for male and female urinary catheter insertion would increase student confidence levels and competency for those two skills. We present a literature review that demonstrates the increasing importance of simulation in medical education whilst detailing the perceived benefits and drawbacks of using simulations in medical education. We then present our research methodology including student numbers, procedures followed during the research, forms of evaluation carried out during the research and the current research stage. We conclude with the difficulties encountered in our study and a statement concerning the current status of our research.