Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The author did not state any specific inclusion criteria in relation to the study design. All of the studies used a pre-test post-test design, three with a comparison or control group; one study also used a crossover design.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that included some type of computer-based simulation were eligible for inclusion. The specific interventions assessed were: the use of a cardiologic patient simulator, computer simulation of a cardiovascular arrest situation, a cardiovascular patient simulator, heart sound simulation, anaesthesia Gas Man simulation, and a structural clinical examination simulation.
Participants included in the review
Studies had to report the disciplines of the researchers, as well as those of the study participants, in order to be eligible for inclusion. The included studies were conducted in medical schools with medical students or residents. The remaining studies were conducted by registered nurses, using nurses as the participants.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies had to include an outcome measure related to education, which included the mean score and standard deviation, in order to be eligible for inclusion. In all of the included studies, the outcome measure was an examination or practical skills test score.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The author did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.