Student peer teaching in paediatric simulation training is a feasible low-cost alternative for education

Aim The World Health Organization recommends regular simulation training to prevent adverse healthcare events. We used specially trained medical students to provide paediatric simulation training to their peers and assessed feasibility, cost and confidence of students who attended the courses. Methods Students at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria were eligible to participate. Students attended two high-fidelity simulation training sessions, delivered by peers, which were video recorded for evaluation. The attendees then completed questionnaires before and after the training. Associated costs and potential benefits were analysed. Results From May 2013 to June 2015, 152 students attended the sessions and 57 (37.5%) completed both questionnaires. Satisfaction was high, with 95% stating their peer tutor was competent and 90% saying that peer tutors were well prepared. The attendees’ confidence in treating critically ill children significantly improved after training (p