QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY Clinical decision-making augmented by simulation training: neural correlates demonstrated by functional imaging: a pilot study

Editor’s key points † The neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of simulation training on performance are poorly understood. † Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to monitor brain activation patterns in parallel with physiological indices of stress in subjects answering multiple choice questions after undergoing simulation or online-based training. † This pilot proof-of-concept study demonstrated differences in cerebral activation patterns between the two groups in areas activated in response to stress consistent with simulationinduced stress attenuation. Background. Investigation of the neuroanatomical basis of clinical decision-making, and whether this differs when students are trained via online training or simulation training, couldprovidevaluable insight intothemeansbywhichsimulationtrainingmightbebeneficial.