Abstract

Objective: Simulation was introduced as an educational method in the Obstetric and Gynecology (OB-GYN) to enhance
the quality of trainees’ medical education, knowledge, and skills acquisition. This questionnaire-based study aimed to
assess types of simulation used and satisfaction with simulation -based education (SBE) among medical trainees in the
OB-GYN program of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before and during COVID- 19.
Method: A total of 1131 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students were registered in the OB-GYN programs and
participated in the SBE activities utilizing KAU-CSSC from 2018 through 2020. total, 581 requested to participated in
questionnaire, only 300 students completed the questionnaire.
Results: Simulations were used most frequently for skills training (91.3%), followed by mannequin-based scenarios (63.0%),
virtual reality (41.3%), standardized patients (34.0%), and tissue-based scenarios (32.1%). OB-GYN simulations can help
trainees and instructors overcome problems in conducting intimate-area examinations and improve their gynecological
history-taking skills. Trainees recommended mandatory establishment of simulation skills centers in every hospital and
medical college and the use of online simulation tools after COVID-19. The mean of total score for simulation use was
49.63 out of 60 points. A total of 218 trainees (72.7%) had a positive attitude toward simulation use and 82 (27.3%) had
a more neutral attitude.
Conclusions: The study results revealed the usefulness of low and high-fidelity SBE among OB-GYN medical trainees in
concerning their teaching, training, and objective assessments. The cumulative mean score suggested that the trainees
were satisfied with simulation-based modules and practical learning. SBE provided a valuable alternative opportunity for
exposure to clinical cases during COVID-19, allowing interactive virtual demonstrations of simple clinical examinations
and procedures while attending to infection control concerns relating to COVID-19

Key words: Simulation, mMedical trainees, Attitude, Clinical skills, COVID-19