Use of a Digital Cognitive Aid Improves Memorization of Military Caregivers After High-Fidelity Simulations of Combat Casualty Care

Abstract

Introduction: High-fidelity simulation is widely used in the ongoing education of caregivers. However, the complex high-stakes simulated crisis environment affects memorization. This study investigated whether participants would remember more key training messages 3 months after a simulated complex emergency situation if they had used a digital cognitive aid (CA) during the simulations.

Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed during a combat casualty training course for military physicians and nurses. Each pair of care providers completed two scenarios randomized to be undertaken either with or without a digital CA. At the end of each debriefing, instructors gave five scenario-specific key messages aloud. Three months later, learners were asked to recall the messages from their two scenarios and were scored for each scenario. The primary endpoint was the number of key messages recalled. The secondary endpoints were the influence on the results of the profession and the scenario block and age of the leader.

Results: Thirty-six pairs of participants were included. Due to operational constraints, only 34 completed the study. The use of the digital CA was associated with a positive effect on memorization at 3 months (F = 82.2, P < .001), unrelated to the leader's profession, age, or the scenario block. The median of the memorization scores was 2/5 [1-3] with the digital CA and 1/5 [1-1] without it, which represents a difference of one memorized element (95% CI, 1-2; η2 = 0.39).

Conclusions: The digital CA allowed learners to remember twice as many key elements 3 months after simulated training of medical care for military combat casualties. A dedicated digital CA might be an asset for better care in a combat environment and for learning and memorizing critical care procedures following complex emergency situations.