PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Yang, Shih-Hsing
AU  - Chen, Chao-Yu
AU  - Liu, Wei-Lun
AU  - Liu, Hsia-Wei
AU  - Chao, Ke-Yun
TI  - Development of a Cost-Effective 3D-Printed Airway Suction Simulator for Respiratory Therapy Students
AID  - 10.4187/respcare.11277
DP  - 2024 May 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 549--556
VI  - 69
IP  - 5
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/69/5/549.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/69/5/549.full
AB  - BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D)–printed models are cost-effective and can be customized by trainers. This study designed a 3D-printed airway suction simulator for use by respiratory therapy (RT) students. The objective was to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and application of 3D-printed models in respiratory care training, aiming to enhance the educational experience for RT students.METHODS: This study developed a 3D-printed airway suction simulator that was cost-effective. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving RT students to compare effectiveness in a 3D-model group and a control group. Skill assessments and written examinations were used to evaluate the participants’ knowledge and skills.RESULTS: A total of 38 second-year RT students were randomly assigned to either the 3D-model group (n = 19) or the control group (n = 19). One participant in the 3D-model group was lost to follow-up during the planned direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) assessment and satisfaction questionnaire completion. The posttest written examination scores were significantly higher in the 3D-model group than in the control group (100% vs 80%, P = .02). The scores from the DOPS and satisfaction questionnaire were comparable in the 2 groups.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that 3D printing can be used to create a safe and cost-effective airway suction simulator for use by RT students, with potential to enhance training methods. Further research is necessary.