The field of healthcare simulation has made tremendous strides forward over the past several decades. One way this revolution is made possible is through clinical simulation research being conducted across the globe. Multiple peer-reviewed journals now focus on clinical simulation research. This HealthySimulation.com article by Content Manager Teresa Gore, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE-A, FSSH, FAAN, provides an overview of the latest clinical simulation highlights as of March 2024 and explains how these updates impact the healthcare simulation community overall.
Participate in Research on the Simulation Operations Needs Assessment Tool (SONAT) : The Simulation Operations Needs Assessment Tool (SONAT) is in the final phase of reliability testing. The simulation research team has developed a needs assessment tool to assess Simulation Operations Staff’s baseline simulation knowledge and implementation level. The goal is the tool would be beneficial for identifying simulation onboarding needs, professional development opportunities, and encouraging continued growth of the healthcare simulation operations field.
The survey is part of the research study and takes 10-15 minutes to complete. The purpose of the study is to test the reliability of the SONAT and determine if there are any common relationships in the professional development within the Simulation Operations community. If you are interested in supporting this research, access and complete the Simulation Operations Needs Assessment Tool (SONAT) tool.
Sustainability efforts in healthcare simulation and clinical learning: An international survey : Little is known about international environmental sustainability practices in healthcare simulation education. Understanding these practices can elucidate current differences in practice, promote sharing of current practices, and establish baseline efforts for improving sustainability practices globally. Therefore, an electronic survey was undertaken targeting international healthcare simulation centers to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare simulation education sustainability practices in differing international settings. Only 40 % of respondents had a written sustainability plan, but 68.75 % indicated their center purchased environmentally preferable supplies, 100 % endorsed supply reuse, 60.4 % endorsed supply recycling, and 37.5 % endorsed sustainable supply disposal. Most participants cited “environmental consciousness” motivated these efforts. Comparison analyses found significant differences between the U.S. and Canada for recycling (p = 0.0065) and disposal (p = 0.0074), and between Canada and international countries for recycling (p = 0.01395).
Canadian simulation centers implement more waste reduction practices than any other country surveyed. Further research should investigate factors contributing to variability and perceptions of sustainability efforts, as well as differences in international waste reduction capabilities. Countries with the most successful waste reduction efforts should advertise and expand them. In addition, healthcare simulation centers must be aware of current options for plastic reuse and embed those practices into healthcare simulation centers.
Future directions for simulation in healthcare: A critical review Direcciones futuras para la simulación en salud: una revisión crítica : There was a widespread discontinuation of simulation programs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to explore how to facilitate greater integration of simulation in healthcare organizations. A literature review was conducted in PubMed, MEDES, IBECS and DOCUMED databases. Twenty-three articles published after the pandemic were selected, categorized in seven themes and critically reviewed. In order to consistently and fully integrate simulation into the organizational culture it is recommended to prioritize the development of new strategies that enhance the efficiency and safety of healthcare delivery. And also strategies that enhance the satisfaction and well-being of all stakeholders.
Enhancing Healthcare Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Innovative Simulation Scenarios : Developing simulation scenarios for implementation in nursing programs is labor intensive and time consuming. The purpose of this study was to determine if ChatGPT could create accurate and realistic simulation scenarios efficiently to assist faculty in healthcare education. ChatGPT was used to create five healthcare simulations. The scenarios were sent to 18 peer reviewers who evaluated them using a 25-question Likert scale survey, which also included opportunities to provide qualitative feedback.
Data analysis revealed that scenarios varied in terms of realism regarding patient profile, history, present illness and the way the scenario unfolded. Also noted was that pertinent information was missing in all scenarios however, the information generated was accurate. Most of the reviewer comments were positive and many were surprised at the amount of overall information included in each scenario. ChatGPT is a powerful AI tool that has the potential to help simulation educators develop simulation scenarios. However, at present, caution needs to be employed, considering its current limitations.
View the LEARN CE/CME Platform Webinar How to Implement INACSL’s Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice Into Your Program to learn more!
The Impact of the Simulation Debriefing Process on Learning Outcomes – An Umbrella Review Protocol : Over the past decade, organizations have written and adapted standards to help educators debrief simulation-based experiences. The Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice emphasize the significance of a debriefing process to create an environment of safe learning. However, a current gap in the literature exists regarding the impact of incorporating the vital element of debriefing upon learning outcomes in the simulation environment. This umbrella review protocol outlines the identification, critical appraisal, and synthesis of the impact of the debriefing process upon healthcare learners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
An interprofessional committee of simulation educators under the guidance of a health science librarian will search five databases for review articles using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Inclusion criteria will include systematic reviews that focus on the impact of the debriefing process on healthcare learners’ outcomes. Abstracts deemed relevant in meeting the inclusion criteria will undergo full-text review. The umbrella review will inform evidence-based practices related to the debriefing process to support the delivery of high-quality simulation that promote a culture of inclusion, trust, and safety.
The Impact of Prebriefing on Simulation Learning Outcomes – A Systematic Review Protocol : Factors outside of formal didactic sessions during healthcare education can influence students’ learning and achievement of desired learning outcomes. The Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice emphasize the importance of prebriefing in the implementation of simulation-based experiences to create a safe learning environment. However, a current literature gap exists regarding the impact of prebriefing on learning outcomes in the simulation environment. This systematic review protocol outlines the identification, critical appraisal, and synthesis of the best available evidence to describe prebriefing in the simulation environment and its impact on healthcare learners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
An interprofessional committee of simulation educators will perform a systematic review under the guidance of a health science librarian using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Peer-reviewed literature will be searched across ten databases. Abstracts deemed relevant in meeting the inclusion criteria will undergo full-text review. The systematic review will inform evidence-based practices related to prebriefing criteria to support the delivery of high-quality simulations that promote a culture of inclusion, trust, and safety.