[Use of high-fidelity patient simulators for the assessment of students' performance]

Introduction: The authors started to use high-fidelity simulators at Semmelweis University, Faculty of Health Sciences in September, 2007.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the students' performance in order to determine their knowledge after each simulation course.

Method: The Creighton Simulation Evaluation Instrument (C-SEI) was used to evaluate midwifery students' performance during examinations. 67 midwifery students were evaluated after the "Clinical simulation" course and 58 midwifery students after the "Case studies in simulation" course.

Results: The average total scores were significantly higher than the desired level of 75 (p<0.01); after the "Clinical simulation" 88.8±9,14, and after the "Case studies in simulation" courses 86.6±14.87. Among subscales the lowest average total score was found in critical thinking in each of the course. Statistically significant correlation was found between the results of "General nursing care" and the results of "Case studies in simulation" courses (r = 0.34; p<0.01).

Conclusions: The use of high-fidelity simulators with valid tools simultaneously might be a suitable method for students' evaluation.