Development and validation of an equine nerve block simulator to supplement practical skills training in undergraduate veterinary students.
Authors: Gunning P, Smith A, Fox V, Bolt D M, Lowe J, Sinclair C, Witte T H, Weller R
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial summary Lameness diagnosis in equine practice relies heavily on nerve blocks, yet veterinary students have limited opportunities to develop this critical psychomotor skill before graduation. Gunning and colleagues created and validated a simulator using an equine forelimb skeleton, building foam and an electrical circuit with wire wool targets positioned at anatomical landmarks for palmar digital, abaxial and four-point blocks—needles placed correctly completed the circuit and triggered audible feedback. When compared against cadaver training (73% accuracy) and theoretical hand-out instruction (58% accuracy), simulator-trained students achieved 71% accuracy on subsequent practical assessment, whilst reporting significantly greater confidence and enjoyment than their peers in both comparison groups. Although cadaver training remained marginally superior for technical performance, the simulator offers farriers, veterinarians and physiotherapists a practical, repeatable and cost-effective training tool that could be integrated into pre-clinical education or used for continuing professional development. This approach addresses a genuine gap in equine skills training without requiring the logistical and ethical constraints associated with cadaver work.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Simulator training achieves nearly equivalent performance outcomes to cadaver training (71% vs 73%) while being more cost-effective and repeatable without requiring cadaver access
- •Students trained on simulators develop greater confidence in performing nerve blocks, which may translate to improved clinical performance and client communication in practice
- •Incorporating simulator training into equine veterinary education can address the limited practical opportunities available during undergraduate training while maintaining safety and reducing animal use
Key Findings
- •Cadaver-trained students achieved 73% correct nerve block placement compared to 71% for simulator-trained students and 58% for hand-out trained students
- •Simulator-trained students reported significantly higher confidence levels and greater enjoyment of training compared to cadaver and theoretical training groups
- •The equine nerve block simulator provides a cost-effective and safe alternative teaching method that supplements practical skills training