Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40390657›Full record

ArticleMedical education2026

Silent teachers: Narratives from the simulation lab.

Aaron Lawson McLean, Anna C Lawson McLean

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Aaron Lawson McLeanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-5528-6905
Anna C Lawson McLeanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-3146-4241

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPatient mannequins are ubiquitous in simulation-based medical education, yet their own 'stories' remain untold. This paper adopts a playful, phenomenological lens, amplified by artificial intelligence (AI), to explore the fictional 'lived experiences' of these silent teachers and reflect on their pedagogical significance.

methodsFictional narratives were generated for three representative mannequins - Mr. Heart Attack, Mrs. Difficult Birth and a composite 'Geriatric Triplet' representing common geriatric syndromes - using a large language model (ChatGPT 4.0). These narratives were analysed using qualitative methods (narrative inquiry, phenomenology, content analysis) to explore their 'experiences' and pedagogical roles.

resultsThe AI-generated narratives depicted mannequins possessing distinct 'personalities' and reflections on their roles (e.g., Mr. Heart Attack's resignation, the Triplets' patience). They highlighted key learning opportunities, such as managing clinical uncertainty (Mr. Heart Attack), holistic care (Triplets) and navigating high-stakes emotional scenarios (Mrs. Difficult Birth). Themes emerged around clinical decision-making, teamwork, communication and empathy.

conclusionThis playful yet reflective study highlights mannequins as more than inert tools, using their AI-generated 'voices' to underscore key simulation principles. It also demonstrates a novel methodological approach, prompting reflection on narrative, perspective and the potential roles of AI in shaping educational discourse.

Indexed as

Education, MedicalManikinsNarrationSimulation TrainingArtificial IntelligenceCommunicationEmpathyHumansQualitative ResearchTeaching

Identifiers

PMID40390657
PMCPMC12717498

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.