Designing and implementing full immersion simulation as a research tool

Abstract

Simulation is a valuable research tool used to evaluate the clinical performance of devices, people and systems. The simulated setting may address concerns unique to complex clinical environments such as the Emergency Department, which make the conduct of research challenging. There is limited evidence available to inform the development of simulated clinical scenarios for the purpose of evaluating practice in research studies, with the majority of literature focused on designing simulated clinical scenarios for education and training. Distinct differences exist in scenario design when implemented in education compared with use in clinical research studies. Simulated scenarios used to assess practice in clinical research must not comprise of any purposeful or planned teaching and be developed with a high degree of validity and reliability. A new scenario design template was devised to develop two standardised simulated clinical scenarios for the evaluation of a new assessment framework for emergency nurses. The scenario development and validation processes undertaken are described and provide an evidence-informed guide to scenario development for future clinical research studies.

A structured framework improves clinical patient assessment and nontechnical skills of early career emergency nurses: a pre–post study using full immersion simulation

“…Two different simulated clinical scenarios were developed and validated using a systematic evidence‐informed process reported to achieve a high degree of realism (Munroe et al . ). The scenarios were based on real emergency patients and representative of two from the top ten most common presentations to EDs in New South Wales (Health Information Exchange ): abdominal pain (Scenario A) and shortness of breath (Scenario B).…”

“…Using immersive simulation techniques, participants were individually video recorded performing an initial patient assessment and commencing nursing care for a simulated patient presenting to the ED, both before and after participating in the HIRAID workshop (intervention). Two different simulated clinical scenarios were developed and validated using a systematic evidence-informed process reported to achieve a high degree of realism (Munroe et al 2016). The scenarios were based on real emergency patients and representative of two from the top ten most common presentations to EDs in New South Wales (Health Information Exchange 2013): abdominal pain (Scenario A) and shortness of breath (Scenario B).…”

The 2019 WACEM expert document on the framework for setting up a simulation centre

“…It offers a supplement and can be integrated into pedagogies and curriculums, across a variety of disciplines. [16710]…”

“…Looking at needs’ assessment, from the broadest perspective in healthcare, the following are factors to be considered:[1011]…”

“…It is beneficial to have someone who is familiar with research methodologies which are applicable to simulation-based research, which needs to be evidence based and outcomes driven as well. [910121332]…”