Using simulation-based training during hospital relocation: a controlled intervention study

• Published in: Advances in simulation (London) Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 41
• Main Authors: Schram, Anders Lund, Lindhard, Morten Søndergaard, Bie, Magnus, Gamborg, Maria Louise, Toxvig, Neel, Skov, Gitte, Jensen, Rune Dall
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 16-12-2022; BMC
• Subjects: Educational objectives; Employee benefits; Health care; Healthcare professionals; Hospital administration; Hospital relocation; In situ simulation; Information management; Intelligence (information); Intervention; Patient safety; Professionals; Psychological factors; Questionnaires; Readiness to perform; Relocation; Sick leave; Simulation; Training; Uncertainty; Denmark; Brazil; Sick leave; Uncertainty; Healthcare professionals; Hospital relocation; Readiness to perform; In situ simulation
• ISSN: 2059-0628; 2059-0628
• DOI: 10.1186/s41077-022-00237-w

During hospital relocations, it is important to support healthcare professionals becoming familiar with new settings. Simulation-based training seems promising and in situ simulation has been suggested as a beneficial educational tool to prepare healthcare professionals for relocation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a simulation-based training intervention on health professionals´ readiness to work in their new environment, as well as investigate sick leave before and after relocation.
The study was a controlled intervention study implemented at a university hospital in Denmark. Simulation was used to prepare employees for workflows prior to relocation. Before relocation, 1199 healthcare professionals participated in the in situ simulation-based training program. Questionnaires on readiness to perform were distributed to participants at pre-, post-, and follow-up (6 months) measurement. In addition, data on participants' sick leave was gathered from a business intelligence portal. To compare dependent and independent groups, paired and unpaired t tests were performed on mean score of readiness to perform and sick leave.
Compared to the control group, healthcare professionals participating in the intervention felt significantly more ready to work in a new hospital environment. As a measure of psychological wellbeing, register data indicated no difference in sick leave, when comparing intervention and control groups before and after participating in the in situ simulation-based training program.
Healthcare professionals felt significantly more ready to work in a new environment, after participating in the in situ simulation-based training program, indicating that the intervention supported healthcare professionals during relocations. This may mitigate feelings of uncertainty; however, further research is needed to explore such effects.
The study was approved by The Regional Ethics Committee (no. 1-16-02-222-22).