Psychophysiological Indicators of Performance in Computer-Based Simulation

Massachusetts General Hospital17 enrolled

Overview

As simulation is now used in many post-graduate education and assessment domains, the investigators want to learn about how autonomically engaged healthcare providers are with the investigators computer simulation paradigm. The investigators are interested in the relationship between autonomic arousal (as measured by heart rate variability and galvanic skin response), self-report of engagement, and performance in the simulation and cognitive debriefing.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

Low ValenceOTHER

Participants in the low valence condition will participate in two photo-based simulations: first, an orientation to become familiar with the interface, and then a clinical simulation. Afterward, they will complete a written debriefing followed by an verbal debriefing with a study investigator. They will complete all activities while having their heart rate and galvanic skin response monitored using non-invasive methods.

High ValenceOTHER

Participants in the low valence condition will participate in two video-based simulations: first, an orientation to become familiar with the interface, and then a clinical simulation. Afterward, they will complete a written debriefing followed by an verbal debriefing with a study investigator. They will complete all activities while having their heart rate and galvanic skin response monitored using non-invasive methods.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthcare provider * Right-handed Exclusion Criteria: * Has a medical condition associated with cardiac arrhythmia * Taking medications (such as antiarrhythmic or beta-blocker) that has an effect on heart rate or autonomic function

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Postgraduate Medical Education

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Engagement with simulation

Participant engagement with simulation will be measured using physiological measures of heart rate variability and galvanic skin response as well as self-report measures during the verbal debriefing.

Time frame: All data will be collected during the one hour when participants engage in the simulation activities and debriefing.

Secondary Outcomes

Cognitive performance

Cognitive performance will be assessed based on the choices that participants make during the clinical simulation as well as the details that they retain and express during the written debriefing.

Time frame: All data will be collected during the one hour when participants engage in the simulation activities and debriefing.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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