Improving medical skills: Knee puncture and infiltration training through simulation
__
By Héloïse Guillot / 31 July 2023
Currently, what training for knee puncture and infiltration?
Knee infiltration
Knee puncture and infiltration are common medical procedures to relieve pain and joint inflammation. These gestures can be delicate and require a precise technique to guarantee their success and the safety of the patient.
Learning these fundamental procedures is essential, since medical students and interns are required to master them. Paradoxically, there is no structured framework for learning these gestures. Student are randomly given the opportunity to carry out a knee puncture or infiltration depending on their internship. Training is therefore very random, and unsafe for the patient, who is the first training support for an inexperienced student. As a result, the majority of students do not feel confident to perform gestures that they should in theory know how to master [1, 2].
The contribution of simulation
Medical simulation is an innovative and safe approach for improving skills. It offers students a learning environment where they can gain experience, refine their skills and become familiar with technical gestures, without risk to the patient. It promotes active and practical learning through which theoretical knowledge can be applied, through different medical scenarios. In addition, students can repeat the procedures as many times as necessary to perfect their technique and can receive immediate advice from the trainers, which helps them identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
Finally, simulation allows students to build confidence and better manage stress associated with medical procedures, preparing them to deal with situations calmly. In the context of knee puncture and infiltration training, simulation offers significant advantages. However, its practice remains rare at the national level. Rheumatology, unlike other specialities such as emergency medicine or obstetrics, has not developed teaching through simulation. Yet, many see simulation as a real step forward in rheumatology education.
The benefits of Sim&Care for student training
Our Sim&Care simulator is of considerable interest for knee puncture and infiltration training. With its highly detailed 3D anatomical models, Sim&Care offers a realistic representation of the knee joint, allowing students to better understand its complexe structure. Sim&Care features realistic medical scenarios providing an immersive and safe learning environment. From reading a patient file to carrying out the procedure, including diagnosis, Sim&Care supports you throughout the patient’s care, to develop both clinical reasoning and technical skills. With the opportunity to repeat the gestures as many time as needed, users can perfect their technique and build confidence before practicing on real patients. Sim&Care also provides a detailed performance assessment, allowing learners to identify their strengths and areas of improvement. By integrating the Sim&Care simulator into training, healthcare professionals can acquire essential skills in knee puncture and infiltration, improving the quality of care and patient safety.
Read more
Discover our practical guide for a successful knee puncture/infiltration:
Mastering knee puncture and infiltration: Our guide to success
