Technology Enhanced Learning in Training Medical Residents in Anesthesiology. The Experience with a New Generation Simulator to Perform PECS II BLOCK in Breast Surgery.

Simulation-based training plays a crucial role in educating physicians and residents before they directly engage in patient care. The traditional method of “see one, do one, teach one” for learning clinical care can lead to inconsistent learning experiences and potentially compromise patient safety. As ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) represents the gold standard for performing regional blocks, there is a need to learn the technical skills associated with this technique. Although there are simulator models available for learning UGRA, they lack anatomical accuracy and real ultrasound images. To address this limitation, we utilized a simulator called BlockSim™ (developed by Accurate, Cesena, Italy) specifically designed for ultrasound-guided fascia blocks. This simulator offers a safe, controlled, and reproducible environment to acquire and practice technical skills. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance improvement in executing the pectoralis nerve block II (PECS II block) among medical residents at the University of L’Aquila, Italy, before and after a training session using BlockSim™. We also assessed the simulator’s ability to reproduce the block consistently and its acceptability among trainees. Thus, our study represents a significant application of Technology Enhanced Learning in training medical residents. Consistent with recent literature, our findings demonstrated that simulator-based training enhances skills in performing the PECS II block, resulting in reduced execution time and increased technical ease. Moreover, the participants expressed positive acceptance of the simulator, recognizing its utility, and endorsing its integration into training programs.