Trauma simulation training: a randomized controlled trial -evaluating the effectiveness of the Imperial Femoral Intramedullary Nailing Cognitive Task Analysis (IFINCTA) tool.

22 medical students with limited experience of antegrade femoral intramedullary nailing procedures were randomized to receive a novel cognitive task analysis teaching tool (Imperial Femoral Intramedullary Nailing Cognitive Task Analysis (IFINCTA) tool) or a standard operative technique manual. Each student was instructed to utilize their respective teaching tool for up to one week; their understanding of the procedure was measured using the four module TouchSurgery application. The primary outcome of interest was the difference in post-test scores between the two groups, and the difference in pre-test and post-test scores within groups. Results from this study found the intervention group to display significantly favourable post-test scores in all four modules compared to the control group. The intervention group displayed significant improvements in the post-test score compared to the pre-test score in all four modules. In the control group, a significant improvement in post-test scores compared to the pre-test scores was observed in 3 of the 4 modules.