Gender-based perception of undergraduate medical students at King Abdulaziz University towards use of simulation-based learning in pediatrics

Background: Use of simulation in pediatric clinical teaching has been adopted in many postgraduate curricula while there is limited data on its impact on medical student satisfaction in the undergraduate pediatric clerkship. Objectives: this study aimed to assess the perception of undergraduate medical students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) towards simulation-based learning in pediatrics clerkship and if the gender affects their perception. Subjects and methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2017/2018 at the clinical skills and simulation center (CSSC), KAU Hospital using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 390 fifth year medical students enrolled in the pediatric rotation. Student were requested to assess a simulation session on managing a child with status epileptics. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) Version 16. Results: Although most of the students attended the simulation-based session were satisfied with the orientation about the simulation environment, the female students were significantly (p=0.005), more satisfied than the males. On the other hand, both male and females were satisfied with the simulation environment, technology and the clarity of session objectives with no significant difference between them. The simulation session was significantly (P=0.006) more helpful to female students in applying the knowledge and skill they need for clinical practice more than the male students. Conclusion: Face validity of simulation-based learning in pediatrics by undergraduate female medical students was evidenced in this study compared to male students.