The field of healthcare simulation continues to make tremendous strides to revolutionize healthcare education 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 some of the latest clinical simulation highlights as of November 2024.
Preparing Health Care Learners Using an Interprofessional Virtual Simulation: A Team-Based Community Intervention: The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the complexities of a public health crisis and the health disparities associated with social determinants of health (SDOH). Health care practitioners are uniquely positioned to address SDOH. The goal of this virtual interprofessional simulation is to prepare health care learners to engage with stakeholders for team-based community interventions. The 3-hour experience includes small group discussions on SDOH in interprofessional teams, simulation with role-play modeling a community task force meeting, and debrief. An internally developed survey was administered at the end of each simulation to assess impact on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and commitment to change. At least seven health professions participated. Findings showed the activity was well received, met learning objectives, and addressed IPEC core competencies. Learners gained the knowledge and skills essential to collaboratively develop an intervention plan. Thematic analysis revealed commitment to community involvement and advocacy and seeking collaboration to promote change.
Respiratory Residency: Establishing Excellence for the Newly Licensed Respiratory Therapist: Workforce issues have highlighted the fact that newly graduated respiratory therapists (RTs) need more support during their transition to practice; however, there are few data on best practices for RT residency programs. The aim of this project was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a residency program for licensed RTs with < 1 y of experience post graduation. The approach to improve new graduate transition to practice included a streamlined clinical-based orientation, didactic learning, evidence-based practice plan, and incorporated simulation. Data were collected in a secure electronic database at a multi-campus health care system utilizing anonymous questionnaires. The participants responded to questions about demographic information, overall confidence, clinical skills, and knowledge base topic confidence.
Participant responses reported an increase in their overall factor score measures for role confidence, clinical skills, and knowledge-based topics. The collected responses showed an increase in a wide range of clinical skills and other soft skills. These results indicate that a respiratory care residency program adds value to the training, overall well-being, and retention of the newly graduated RT.
Characteristics, Impact, and Trends of Healthcare Simulation in Latin America and the Caribbean – A Bibliometric Analysis: This study highlights the growing significance of healthcare simulation in enhancing the quality and safety of patient care across Latin America and the Caribbean, by analyzing bibliometric trends and the impact of publications on simulation-based clinical training between 2012 and 2022. Leveraging the Scopus database and VOSviewer software for thesaurus interaction analysis, the research identified 610 documents, accumulating 4681 citations, thereby indicating a burgeoning interest in this field with notable publication spikes in 2017 and 2020. Brazil and the United States emerged as leading contributors, with a primary focus on “simulation training,” “clinical competence,” “medical : education,” and “education.” The study observed an uptick in international collaboration, mirroring the increase in document count and citations. This bibliometric review underscores the emphasis on evaluating technical skills and clinical practices as prevailing areas of interest, highlighting Brazil’s significant academic contributions, and suggesting a promising future for the implementation of clinical simulation in the region. The study advocates for continued scholarly output to align with global advancements in medical simulation, aiming to optimize patient outcomes.
Exploring the Meta-debrief Developing a Toolbox for Debriefing the Debrief: Otherwise known as debriefing the debrief, meta-debriefing describes the practice of debriefing simulation facilitators after they have facilitated, or observed, a debriefing. It is a vital component of enhancing debriefing skills, irrespective of where debriefers may be in terms of their professional development journey from novice to expert. We present the following 4 fundamental pillars, which underpin the creation of an impactful meta-debriefing strategy: theoretically driven, psychologically safe, context dependent, and formative in function. Furthermore, we describe various strategies that, underpinned by these 4 key pillars, contribute to a toolbox of techniques that enable meta-debriefers to develop proficiency and flexibility in their practice. We have synthesized and critically reviewed the current evidence base, derived mostly from the debriefing literature, and highlighted gaps to address in meta-debriefing contexts. We hope this article stimulates discussion among simulation practitioners, progresses the science and art of meta-debriefing, and prompts further research so that meta-debriefing can become an integral evidence-based component of our faculty development processes.
2024 to 2027 Research Priorities continue to mirror INACSL’s core values: Under the strategic plan of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), the Research Committee is dedicated to contributing to the vision of transforming lives through simulation and innovation. To achieve this, the Committee provides a new set of research priorities every three years. The 2024 to 2027 INACSL Research Priorities resonate with prior focus areas, while drawing attention to continued gaps and emerging areas in clinical and academic simulation to guide future research endeavors. Forward momentum continues with the organizational mission to be the global leader in the art and science of healthcare simulation through research. Additionally, core values of discovery, diversity, and collaboration are evident when fulfilling the strategic goal of expanding research funding. Since its inception, researchers across the globe have contributed significantly to advancing the science of healthcare simulation through the INACSL Debra Spunt research grants program by addressing the INACSL research priorities. Over the past two years, Research Committee collaborations with participating companies (vendors) have resulted in the new addition of an INACSL In-Kind Vendor grant. This grant opportunity provides INACSL members with a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry vendors, facilitating the integration of innovative products into their simulation-based research. Researchers are empowered to explore new methodologies, validate product effectiveness, and contribute to the advancement of simulation research practices. Ultimately, the offered grant programs will continue to drive forward the 2024 to 2027 INACSL research priorities while offering avenues to foster synergistic relationships between academia, clinical, and industry.
Competency-based education: Simulation educators, don’t be afraid: An informative editorial was written in December 2024. Competency-Based Education (CBE) focuses on both learning processes and outcomes, integrating formative and summative assessments to foster continuous growth and competency development. Formative assessments foster continuous improvement through feedback and coaching while summative assessments confirm students’ progress toward achieving competency. Although some worry that shifting to CBE requires a complete overhaul of simulation-based education (SBE), this fear is unfounded. Transitioning to CBE in nursing education may be more about refinement than radical change. This editorial stresses the adoption of CBE is an evolution, not an overhaul. The authors state that CBE strengthens SBE best practices along with providing key strategies to support CBE in simulation.
