Simulated Placements as Partial Replacement of Clinical Training Time: A Delphi Consensus Study

• Published in: Clinical simulation in nursing Vol. 68; pp. 42 - 48
• Main Authors: Bridge, Pete, Adeoye, Joanne, Edge, Christopher N., Garner, Vicky L., Humphreys, Anne-Louise, Ketterer, Sarah-Jane, Linforth, Joanne G., Manning-Stanley, Anthony S., Newsham, David, Prescott, Denise, Pullan, Samuel J., Sharp, Jo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Allied health professionals; Delphi; Nurses; Partial replacement; Simulation; Training; Training; Simulation; Allied health professionals; Delphi; Partial replacement; Nurses
• ISSN: 1876-1399; 1876-1402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2022.04.009

•Between 11% and 30% of clinical training time can be replaced with simulated placement.•Simulated placements can provide effective training in core skills with reduced risk to patients and learners.•Simulation providers should aim to disseminate the aims of their activities more widely. There is growing interest in utilizing structured extended periods of simulation as partial replacement for clinical placement (PRCP) due to workforce demands and COVID-19 impact. This project aimed to identify the extent to which stakeholders felt that simulated placements could reduce overall clinical placement time requirement for health care students. Participants included a range of nurses and Allied Health Professionals including managers, clinicians and lecturers. A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a 75% consensus agreement target. Overall, 71 participants engaged with at least one round of the study and identified benefits of PRCP: Safety, learning from mistakes, improved preparation, and reduced placement training burden. Challenges included poor realism, logistics, time, and access to facilities. The consensus opinion indicated that between 11% and 30% of clinical training time could be replaced with simulated placement. Ongoing work will need to identify profession-specific consensus opinion and guidance on the use of simulation as PRCP. Cite this article: Bridge, P., et al. (Year, Month). Simulated placements as partial replacement of clinical training time: a Delphi consensus study. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, vol(no.), eXXX-eXXX. doi: 10.1016/j.ecsn.20XX.