(1104) Learner Engagement, Satisfaction, and Net Promoter Score of a National Medical Student Airway Simulation Course

Introduction: Emergency airway management training is inconsistently incorporated into medical education. Since 2023, an interactive medical student airway simulation course at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting has combined required pre-course modules with hands-on training. This study evaluates learner engagement and post-course perceptions to assess curricular impact.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of participation data, pre-course assessment completion after a required online module, and post-course evaluations from medical students in the 2023-2025 AAO-HNS airway simulation courses. The pre-course assessment included 12 heterogeneously weighted items (maximum score = 33) to characterize learner preparedness before hands-on simulation. Post-course evaluations included 5-point Likert-scale course quality measures (1 = not at all; 5 = absolutely yes) and free-text responses were analyzed thematically.

Results: Across three course years, 476 medical students (MS1 N = 10, 2.1%; MS2 N = 93, 19.5%; MS3 N = 189, 39.7%; MS4 N = 184, 38.7%) completed the pre-course assessment (2023 N = 140; 2024 N = 165; 2025 N = 171). Mean performance was high (29.0 ± 3.6 / 33.0, 87.9% correct) and did not change with class year (χ² = 0.984, P = .805).

Post-course evaluations were completed by 213 students (2023 N = 54; 2024 N = 70; 2025 N = 89). Likert ratings were uniformly high for course recommendation (4.95 ± 0.21 / 5), teacher knowledge (4.98 ± 0.15 / 5), and perceived value of time (4.93 ± 0.25 / 5), yielding a Net Promoter Score of 100.0 (promoters N = 212, 100.0%; detractors N = 0, 0.0%). Student feedback emphasized the hands-on, station-based format, with suggestions focused on extending course length to allow more time per station.

Conclusions: Medical student participation in the AAO-HNS airway simulation course increased annually, alongside consistent pre-course assessment performance and uniformly high course satisfaction with universal recommendation. These findings suggest the curriculum is relevant and educationally valuable across all medical school years.