The educational utility of simulations in teaching history and physical examination skills in diagnosing breast cancer: a review of the literature.

This paper is a review of the literature examining the use of medical simulations to teach our future healthcare providers how to diagnose breast cancer. MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched to identify the literature published between 1990 and 2014. In total, 113 articles were retrieved and evaluated for their relevance to the topic. Simulation methods, such as standardized patients and breast models were found to enhance students' abilities to perform patient histories and physical examinations to detect breast cancer. In addition, simulation can help trainees learn how to communicate bad news to patients effectively. There is an abundance of literature supporting the continued use of simulations in the curricula of medical schools. However, future studies based on sound theoretical frameworks are needed to evaluate the positive effects of simulation-based education on patient outcomes.