Comparative Analysis of an Affordable Wearable Task Trainer Incision and Drainage Model Versus Stand-Alone and Cadaver Models

Additional Authors

Any Berry, Simulation Lab Manager, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Bryan Dixon Third Year Medical Student, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Abstract

Medical education programs face significant challenges in providing realistic and cost-effective training for incision and drainage (I&D) procedures, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study hypothesized that an affordable wearable task trainer model would provide comparable training efficacy to traditional stand-alone models and cadaveric specimens while offering superior cost-effectiveness and accessibility. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conducted a comparative analysis involving medical students, residents, and teaching physicians who were randomly assigned to three training groups: wearable task trainer, stand-alone model, and cadaver. Each group received standardized I&D procedure training, during which we measured objective performance metrics including procedural accuracy and completion time. Participants also completed comprehensive surveys assessing their perceived realism of the training method, its usefulness in skill development, and overall cost-effectiveness. Our findings revealed that participants using the wearable task trainer achieved comparable procedural accuracy and completion times to those training with stand-alone models and cadavers. Survey results indicated high satisfaction with the wearable trainer's realism and effectiveness, while cost analysis demonstrated significant financial advantages over cadaveric training. These results suggest that the affordable wearable task trainer represents a viable alternative for I&D procedure training, effectively addressing the need for accessible, high-quality medical education tools in resource-constrained environments. While these initial findings are promising, larger studies are recommended to further assess the effectiveness of this training method. The successful validation of this cost-effective training solution has important implications for medical education programs worldwide, potentially expanding access to high-quality procedural training while maintaining educational standards.

Start Time

16-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 11:30 AM

Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Category

Education

Student Type

Clinical Doctoral Student (e.g., medical student, pharmacy student)

Faculty Mentor

Brock Blankenship

Faculty Department

Medical Education

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Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 11:30 AM

Comparative Analysis of an Affordable Wearable Task Trainer Incision and Drainage Model Versus Stand-Alone and Cadaver Models

Medical education programs face significant challenges in providing realistic and cost-effective training for incision and drainage (I&D) procedures, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study hypothesized that an affordable wearable task trainer model would provide comparable training efficacy to traditional stand-alone models and cadaveric specimens while offering superior cost-effectiveness and accessibility. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conducted a comparative analysis involving medical students, residents, and teaching physicians who were randomly assigned to three training groups: wearable task trainer, stand-alone model, and cadaver. Each group received standardized I&D procedure training, during which we measured objective performance metrics including procedural accuracy and completion time. Participants also completed comprehensive surveys assessing their perceived realism of the training method, its usefulness in skill development, and overall cost-effectiveness. Our findings revealed that participants using the wearable task trainer achieved comparable procedural accuracy and completion times to those training with stand-alone models and cadavers. Survey results indicated high satisfaction with the wearable trainer's realism and effectiveness, while cost analysis demonstrated significant financial advantages over cadaveric training. These results suggest that the affordable wearable task trainer represents a viable alternative for I&D procedure training, effectively addressing the need for accessible, high-quality medical education tools in resource-constrained environments. While these initial findings are promising, larger studies are recommended to further assess the effectiveness of this training method. The successful validation of this cost-effective training solution has important implications for medical education programs worldwide, potentially expanding access to high-quality procedural training while maintaining educational standards.