For the students, by the students: Student perceptions of low cost medical moulage in a resource-constrained environment()

INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based learning affords participants the opportunity to practice high-acuity, low-incidence situations without risk to the patient. The realism of a simulated scenario is often referred to as fidelity. High levels of fidelity imply high levels of realism. One method of enhancing fidelity is the use of moulage. Commercially available moulage kits and professionally applied moulage are often expensive and therefore not practical in the resource-constrained environment. Cost-effective alternatives are required for the resource-constrained environment. METHODS: Students at a South African university used readily available, low cost materials to apply self-constructed, low cost moulage for a bandaging practical. A cross sectional design used a purpose-designed, validated questionnaire to gather data related to face and content validity of the self-constructed moulage. Frequency analysis formed the cornerstone of Likert-type quantitative data analysis. An open-ended question afforded participants the opportunity to express their own opinions related to the moulage experience. RESULTS: The results revealed that there was both high face validity and high content validity of the self-constructed moulage. Participants found the activity enjoyable and a generally positive learning experience. The self-constructed moulage was realistic and added to the fidelity of the scenario. Participant confidence was improved and their engagement in the learning activity was enhanced. Participants found the self-constructed, low-cost moulage more realistic that commercial products that they had been exposed to. CONCLUSION: The use of low-cost, self-constructed moulage is a feasible and economically viable means of enhancing fidelity within the resource-constrained simulation setting. This technique is not necessarily limited to emergency medical care and can be used in other areas of healthcare simulation.