To evaluate whether the use of low-fidelity otoscopy simulation improved medical students’ theoretical knowledge of middle ear anatomy and pathologies compared to traditional teaching methods.

This was a randomized controlled trial. Simulation workshops were conducted in April 2019 in the Lyon Sud University medical faculty, France. Students were randomly assigned to the simulation group (n=105) or to the control group (n=95). The students in the control group answered a questionnaire evaluating theoretical knowledge (25 true-false questions) before the simulation tutorial, while the students in the simulation group answered the same questions after the tutorial. Both groups also filled out a satisfaction questionnaire for feedback.

196 of the 200 students who participated in the study completed the knowledge assessment questionnaire. Scores were 32.0% higher in the simulation group than in the control group (mean scores, 12.0/20 vs. 9.1/20; P<0.0001). 184 of the 191 students who completed the satisfaction questionnaire (96.3%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the workshop, and all but one (99.5%) recommended keeping it in the curriculum. In the free comments fields, students highlighted the educational value of learning without the stress of patient discomfort.

Otoscopy simulation is an effective training method, improving theoretical knowledge compared with conventional theoretical training.