The McGill Simulation Complexity Score (MSCS): a novel complexity scoring system for simulations in trauma

BACKGROUND: In medical education, simulation can be defined as an activity in which an individual demonstrates skills, procedures and critical thinking using interactive mannequins in a setting closely resembling the clinical environment. To our knowledge, the complexity of trauma simulations has not previously been assessed. We aimed to develop an objective trauma simulation complexity score and assess its interrater reliability. METHODS: The McGill Simulation Complexity Score (MSCS) was designed to address the need for objective evaluation of the complexity of trauma scenarios. Components of the score reflected the Advanced Trauma Life Support approach to trauma. The score was developed to take into account the severity of trauma injuries and the complexity of their management. We assessed interrater reliability at 5 high-fidelity simulation events. Interrater reliability was calculated using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The MSCS has 5 categories: airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and extremities or exposure. The scale has 5 levels for each category, from 0 to 4; level increases with complexity, with 0 corresponding to normal or absent. Cases designed to lead to cardiac arrest, regardless of whether or not the trainee has the ability to resuscitate the simulated patient and regardless of the level of each category, are automatically assigned the maximum score. Between 3 and 9 raters used the MSCS to grade the level of complexity of 26 scenarios at the 5 events. The mean MSCS was 10.2 (range 3.0–20.0). Mean PCC and ICC values were both above 0.7 and therefore statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The MSCS for trauma is an innovative scoring system with high interrater reliability.