Structured Nasal Packing Module Training Using Intubation Mannequin For Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Nasal packing is a skill which all primary care physicians should possess. The current curriculum does not include this skills training in undergraduate studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of structured nasal packing module for 3rd MBBS students in the skills lab and to evaluate the improvement of student's confidence level in managing epistaxis. Project proposal approval was obtained from the Institutional review board in Saveetha Medical College & Hospital. After obtaining  informed consent, 114 students of III MBBS-Part I was included in the study. They were divided into 3 batches. Students were given study material and video at least one day before the session. A brief lecture followed by a demonstration of nasal packing was done. Students were allowed to practice nasal packing on intubation mannequins in the presence of faculty. Confidence level questionnaire were given to assess their confidence level before and after practicing on mannequins. Question 1 was on instrument use, 2 on traditional anterior nasal packing, 3 on ivalon pack and 4 on postnasal pack with foley’s catheter. The mean confidence level scores before and after hands on training on mannequin were 9.18 and 12.45 respectively. T-test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was done to compare the results. There was a statistically significant improvement in the confidence level of students following hands on training (p value: 0.000). Practicing nasal packing on intubation mannequins improved the confidence level of students in managing patients with epistaxis