Leveraging pictocards as a low-cost simulation method to improve skills and competency-based learning

Abstract : Finding well-designed pediatric scenarios that enable learners to independently practice previously acquired assessment skills is challenging. Mani-KidsTM are low-cost, life-sized, cardboard-like representations of human children (Pedi-ed-trics, n.d.). These pictocards are designed to include a variety of ages, shapes, races, and ethnicities not ordinarily included in simulation (Diaz et al., 2023; Smallheer et al., 2022). To explore the educational benefit of pictocards on simulation effectiveness, this strategy was incorporated into an undergraduate pediatrics course. The team hypothesized that 1) the variety of pictocard patients will maintain a high level of effectiveness, and 2) students will find the activity realistic and useful.
Six different pictocards were integrated into a simulated assessment activity in the pediatric skills lab. Following IRB approval, learners performed an assessment on a pictocard patient to practice skills demonstrated in prebrief material (INACSL Standards Committee, McDermott, et al., 2021) as well as didactic information that built on previous health assessment content. Participation in the study was voluntary.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the simulation activity, learners completed the modified Simulation Effectiveness Tool (SET-M; Leighton et al., 2015), and a content analysis was conducted on transcripts of the activity’s plus-delta debrief (Cheng et al., 2021). Results of 164 learners showed that the simulation activity was effective, with an overall SET-M score of 2.5 for all pictocards. Content analysis revealed that students found the activity realistic and useful. The effective use of pictocards for pediatric assessment skills highlights the significant role this simulation method plays in creating valuable competency-based learning experiences.