Impact of Difficult Airway Training on Performance of Korean Paramedic Students in Simulated Normal and Difficult Airway Scenarios: A Randomized Educational Intervention Study

Aim: Evaluate the impact of difficult airway traning on Korean paramedic students' performance during manikin-based airway management simulations. Methods: 40 Korean paramedic students with previous training in airway management and endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Students in the intervention group completed 16 additional hours of training using curriculum from the Difficult Airway Course<sup>™</sup>. Both groups were then tested on a series of airway management scenarios using a Laerdal SimMan<sup>®</sup> manikin. Results: All participants were able to secure the airway in a normal intubaion scenario, though the intervention group did so fasster on average (121.9 seconds vs. 161.2 seconds in the control group, p=.04). None of the students in the control group were able to secure the airway of a manikin manifesting tongue edema, shile 18 of 20 students in the intervention group sere successful. Students in both groups were equally likily to secure the airway of a manikin fitted with a cervical spine immobilization collar. Students in the intervention group were more likely to employ video laryngoscopy or use a gum elastic bougie to assist during intubaion. On average, students in the intervention group scored significantly higher on a checklist of airway management maneuvers for all three scenarios (p<.001) and reported higher confidence in their ability to manage both a normal and difficult airway (p=0.011 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Difficult airway training improves Korean paramedic students' performance on simulated airway managenent scenarios