Effectiveness of a simulation-based mastery learning to train clinicians on a novel cricothyrotomy procedure at an academic medical centre during a pandemic: A quasi-experimental cohort study

Objectives To develop and evaluate a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for cricothyrotomy using wet towels to suppress aerosolisation during a pandemic. Design Quasi-experimental, pre-post study. Setting Tertiary care, academic medical centre in Chicago. Participants Ear, nose and throat and general surgery residents, fellows and attendings. Intervention Cricothyroidotomy simulation-based mastery learning curriculum. Outcomes measure Pretest to posttest simulated cricothyrotomy skills checklist performance. Results 37 of 41 eligible surgeons participated in the curriculum. Median pretest score was 72.5 (IQR 55.0-80.0) and 100.0 (IQR 98.8-100.0) for the posttest p<0.001. All participants scored at or above a minimum passing standard (93% checklist items correct) at posttest. Conclusions Using SBML is effective to quickly train clinicians to competently perform simulated cricothyrotomy during a pandemic.