In situ simulation training for a better interprofessional team performance in transferring critically ill patients with COVID-19: a prospective randomised control trial

• Published in: Postgraduate medical journal Vol. 98; no. 1162; pp. 617 - 621
• Main Authors: Manggala, Sidharta Kusuma, Tantri, Aida Rosita, Sugiarto, Adhrie, Sianipar, Imelda Rosalyn, Prasetyono, Theddeus Octavianus Hari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine 01.08.2022; Oxford University Press; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: adult intensive & critical care; Communication; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Hospitals; Intensive care; Medical education; medical education & training; Original Research; Pandemics; Patient safety; Personal protective equipment; Simulation; Skills; Social distancing; Teamwork; Indonesia; adult intensive & critical care; medical education & training
• ISSN: 0032-5473; 1469-0756
• DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-141426

BackgroundTransferring critically ill patients with COVID-19 is a challenging task; therefore, well-trained medical team is needed. This study aimed to determine the role of in situ simulation training during pandemic by using high-fidelity manikin to improve interprofessional communication, skills and teamwork in transferring critically ill patients with COVID-19.MethodsThis single-blinded randomised control trial included 40 subjects allocated into standard low-fidelity simulator (LFS) and high-fidelity simulator (HFS) groups. Subjects, who were not members of multiprofessional team taking care of patients with COVID-19, in each group were assigned into small groups and joined an online interactive lecture session, two sessions of in-situ simulation and a debriefing session with strict health protocols. The first simulation aimed to teach participants the skills and steps needed. The second simulation aimed to assess transfer skills, communication and teamwork performance, that participants had learnt using a validated, comprehensive assessment tool. Data were analysed using unpaired t test or Mann-Whitney test.ResultsThe HFS group showed significantly better overall transfer and communication skills than LFS group (89.70±4.65 vs 77.19±3.6, <0.05 and 100 vs 88.34 (63.33–100), p=0.022, respectively). The HFS group also demonstrated significantly better teamwork performance than the standard LFS group (90 (80–900) vs 80 (70–90), p=0.028).ConclusionIn situ simulation training using HFS significantly showed better performance than the standard training using LFS in regards to overall transfer and communication skills as well as teamwork performance. The training using HFS may provide a valuable adjunct to improve interprofessional skills, communication and teamwork performance in transferring critically ill patients with COVID-19.Trial registration numberNCT05113823.