Experiences of Participants During In Situ Simulation With a Learner Present

Abstract

Background: While in situ simulation (ISS) provides robust value for health care teams, it is less clear how medical learners affect the experiences of other participants. Methods: This was a single-center qualitative analysis of a community hospital’s emergency department ISS program that included medical learners (medical students, family and emergency medicine residents). Focus groups were conducted before and after with nurses, staff physicians, and resident physicians. Phenomenologic analysis using a constructivist framework was used to examine themes. Results: Fifty-two ISSs were held from February 2019 to March 2020. Of those simulations, 36 had learners present. Positive effects included creating an open learning environment and offering staff physicians a safe teaching space. Negative effects arose when objectives of ISS were highly team based or latent safety threat (LST) focused. All groups thought learners added value to ISS. Conclusion: Thought should be given to ISS objectives when considering how learners affect other participants. When including learners, review objectives, clarify expectations in prebriefing, and ensure that debriefing begins with LSTs and process objectives before diving into medical objectives. This study provides insight into the effect of medical learners on ISS.