Comparing the pre–post knowledge score of health-care professionals on a simulation course for COVID-19 PCR sampling

Background: This study describes the effectiveness of a simulation course for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sampling for coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on a heterogeneous cohort of 37 health-care professionals (HCPs) in North Lebanon. Materials and Methods: A pre–post repeated measure on a simulation course PCR sampling for COVID-19 was designed and conducted on a sample of 37 HCPs involved in COVID-19 PCR sampling in Lebanon. Attendees anonymously completed pre–post course questionnaires following the simulation training session. Data collected were analyzed on SPSS using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar’s test to compare the knowledge score (Kscore) of participants and their perceptions measures related to the training. Results: Kscore increased and was significantly different pre (µ = 2.22,) and post-session (µ = 5.54). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that post-session, only two remained the same, whereas all the rest (35) had higher post score. The proportion of correctly answered questions varied significantly pre–post session for all six questions. Years of experience and gender did not have an effect on Kscore pre–post session. The Kscore also varied for participants with previous COVID-19 PCR swab training or with current role related to COVID-19 with higher pre-Kscore and surprisingly lower post-Kscore. Conclusion: Our study shows that a simulation course regarding COVID-19 testing should be a requirement, regardless of years of experience or previous training, before allowing HCPs to perform sampling techniques on a patient having or suspected to have COVID-19 in order to ensure international standards.