Observational study of conformity in yet another medical learning environment: conformity to preceptors during high-fidelity simulation.

Simulations provide a safe way to observe interpersonal interactions and communication. In this simulation study, a researcher posing as a preceptor offered an incorrect diagnosis to a medical student and resident to understand if the learners would conform to the preceptor. 38% of student/resident dyads conformed to the preceptor's incorrect diagnosis. Moreover, all the students conformed to the resident but not to the preceptor, suggesting learners may be more likely to conform to a person with the next higher status in the hierarchy.