Background: Historically, medical schools have taught principles of hemodynamic shock using
large animal models. Such exercises are infrequent today due to the increasing aversion
of students and the wider community to the use of large animals in teaching. Herein, we describe
two alternative exercises that communicated basic science and clinical principles of
shock effectively.
Methods: We developed two complementary, distinct single-afternoon laboratory exercises for third-year medical students. The first exercise (lab) demonstrated three principles: (1) in
vitro cytokine-induced apoptosis (illustrating mechanisms and consequences of sepsis), (2)
the hemodynamic manifestations of hypovolemia and septic shock in rats, and (3) the effects
of fluid resuscitation or vasopressor administration in these same rat models. In the second
exercise, students managed the diagnosis, initial resuscitation, surgical treatment, and ICU
care of a "patient" with abdominal sepsis, using a manikin-based patient simulator and actual
patient test data. Current basic science and clinical literature were incorporated.
Results: Efficacy was evaluated by polling students in one of four rotations (n = 25). Educational value of the lab exercise was rated 3.70 (1, worst rating; 5, best rating), whereas its
applicability to clinical care was rated 4.35. Educational value and clinical applicability of the
patient simulator were rated 4.52 and 4.76, respectively.
Conclusions: These exercises combining laboratory demonstrations of the pathophysiologic mechanisms and manifestations of shock with simulation were judged effective and clinically
relevant while fulfilling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mandate to reduce use
of experimental animals.
