Evaluating a Low-Fidelity Anesthesiology Simulation for Airway Management and Cardiac Arrest in Medical Students

Background: Low-fidelity simulations are cost-effective, accessible tools for medical education. This study describes the development and initial implementation of a low-cost, easy-to-run simulation, assesses participant performance in airway management and ACLS, and reviews qualitative feedback to refine future iterations. Methods: This single-center, prospective observational study piloted a low-fidelity simulation on difficult airway management and intraoperative cardiac arrest for fourth-year medical students in a three-hour workshop. Participant demographics, simulation performance, and post-simulation feedback were analyzed using proportions and Fisher’s exact test. Results: A total of eleven medical students participated in the simulation, with most participants scoring in the higher range. No statistically significant findings using the Fisher’s exact test were detected between student performance and past experiences in related fields of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, or emergency medicine. Learners had the most difficulty with adherence to ACLS pathways when managing a simulated cardiac arrest, scoring on average 4.5 ± 1.6 points out of 8. Six of the eleven participants completed the post-simulation survey (55% response rate), primarily giving positive feedback, with all responses indicating agreement that low-fidelity simulations are beneficial learning opportunities for medical students, citing them as helpful to review knowledge. Conclusion: Low-fidelity simulations provide an underutilized yet effective means for skill development in medical education. ACLS performance gaps may stem from limited practice or situational stress. This simulation requires minimal resources and personnel, making it easily adoptable. Future improvements include a larger sample size, clearer questions, and preparatory materials.