Abstract:
This CE healthcare simulation webinar will address the diverse definitions of competency, recognizing that different stakeholders may have varying interpretations. Establishing a shared meaning within the team through open, collaborative discussions is crucial to align common definitions and understandings of competency and clinical simulation. The presenters will highlight the importance of creating a shared understanding of competency and assessment among healthcare professionals, emphasizing the need for interprofessional collaboration to break down barriers. Variations in the language of competency and assessment exist across healthcare disciplines (Buleon et al., 2022), and it is essential for healthcare simulation teams to appreciate these different perspectives and use evidence-based practices to guide the implementation of medical simulation-based assessment strategies.
The presenters will discuss how professionals can develop a holistic understanding of competency, integrating diverse lenses to enhance interprofessional practice and improve patient outcomes. Accurate competency assessment is vital for healthcare professionals to provide safe patient care. The panel will review Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for standardized evaluations (Lioce et al., 2020) and discuss various assessment modalities, including summative, formative, and high-stakes assessments. Each serves a distinct purpose in measuring learner competency, with summative assessments evaluating specific competencies, formative assessments assessing if learning objectives are met, and high-stakes assessments determining major outcomes like course passing (Lioce et al., 2020). Choosing appropriate simulation modalities depends on learning objectives, resources, and desired competency evaluations.
Effective clinical simulation modalities include standardized patients (SPs) for communication and interpersonal skills, task trainers for specific skills, and virtual/extended reality (VR/XR) for immersive environments. Mannequins provide a controlled, realistic setting for a variety of competencies. Assessments should also consider essential attributes like communication skills, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and professionalism to ensure comprehensive competency evaluation.
This presentation will provide a comprehensive exploration of the role of healthcare simulation in competency-based education for healthcare professionals. By fostering a shared understanding of competency and assessment through collaborative discussions and interactive activities, attendees will gain valuable insights into the effective integration of various healthcare simulation modalities. This knowledge will ultimately enhance interprofessional practice and improve patient outcomes, equipping healthcare professionals with the tools needed for accurate competency assessment and safe patient care.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the definitions of competency in healthcare education.
- Create a shared understanding of competency-based education among healthcare professionals.
- Explore competency assessments and the selection of healthcare simulation modalities.