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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Anz Journal of Surgery

Simulation‐Based Education for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Emergency Procedures in the South Pacific: A Pilot Study

  • Matthew Eugene Lam1,2
  • Hannah Burns2,3
  • Nikki Mills4
  • Murali Mahadevan5,6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Townsville Hospital Townsville Queensland Australia
  2. 2Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
  3. 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
  4. 4Independent Researcher Nelson New Zealand
  5. 5Department of Surgery University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
  6. 6Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon Kakariki Hospital Auckland New Zealand
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Abstract

Background: The South Pacific faces challenges in delivering timely Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) emergency care due to specialist scarcity, geographic isolation, and resource constraints. Simulation‐based education (SBE) provides safe, reproducible opportunities to practise time‐critical procedures. This pilot education study evaluated the impact of a regional simulation course on surgeon and trainee confidence in managing common OHNS emergencies.

Methods: A one‐day simulation course was conducted during the South Pacific Legacy Program in Fiji in August 2023. Five scenarios were taught including rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, adult tracheostomy, paediatric tracheostomy and cortical mastoidectomy. Participants (n=20) completed questionnaires at baseline, immediately post‐course and at 6 months to assess confidence and skill retention using 5‐point Likert scales.

Results: Confidence increased significantly across all procedures immediately post‐course (all p≤0.006; r=0.64−0.82) and remained significantly above baseline at 6 months (all p≤0.016; r=0.63−0.78). Sustained improvements were greatest for adult and paediatric tracheostomy. Surgeons reported higher confidence than trainees in selected scenarios. After 6 months, 67% of participants reported using skills in clinical practice and all expressed interest in further SBE.

Conclusion: A regional, low‐resource simulation course significantly improved and sustained confidence in managing otolaryngology emergencies. This feasible and well‐received model may support capacity building across geographically dispersed, low‐resource health systems.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{lam2026simulationbased,
  title = {{Simulation‐Based Education for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Emergency Procedures in the South Pacific: A Pilot Study}},
  author = {Matthew Eugene Lam and Hannah Burns and Nikki Mills and Murali Mahadevan},
  journal = {Anz Journal of Surgery},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1111/ans.70923},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.70923},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Simulation‐Based Education for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Emergency Procedures in the South Pacific: A Pilot Study
AU  - Matthew Eugene Lam
AU  - Hannah Burns
AU  - Nikki Mills
AU  - Murali Mahadevan
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/19
JO  - Anz Journal of Surgery
DO  - 10.1111/ans.70923
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.70923
AB  - Background: The South Pacific faces challenges in delivering timely Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) emergency care due to specialist scarcity, geographic isolation, and resource constraints. Simulation‐based education (SBE) provides safe, reproducible opportunities to practise time‐critical procedures. This pilot education study evaluated the impact of a regional simulation course on surgeon and trainee confidence in managing common OHNS emergencies.  Methods: A one‐day simulation course was conducted during the South Pacific Legacy Program in Fiji in August 2023. Five scenarios were taught including rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, adult tracheostomy, paediatric tracheostomy and cortical mastoidectomy. Participants (n=20) completed questionnaires at baseline, immediately post‐course and at 6 months to assess confidence and skill retention using 5‐point Likert scales.  Results: Confidence increased significantly across all procedures immediately post‐course (all p≤0.006; r=0.64−0.82) and remained significantly above baseline at 6 months (all p≤0.016; r=0.63−0.78). Sustained improvements were greatest for adult and paediatric tracheostomy. Surgeons reported higher confidence than trainees in selected scenarios. After 6 months, 67% of participants reported using skills in clinical practice and all expressed interest in further SBE.  Conclusion: A regional, low‐resource simulation course significantly improved and sustained confidence in managing otolaryngology emergencies. This feasible and well‐received model may support capacity building across geographically dispersed, low‐resource health systems.
SN  - 1445-1433
SN  - 1445-2197
ER  -