Telehealth training: Interprofessional mixed reality simulation in a retrieval service setting

Abstract

The use of Telehealth is well established in Australian retrieval service settings to aid assessment and management of patients requiring aeromedical transportation and to provide support to clinicians at remote facilities. Telehealth ensures prompt advice and treatment for critically ill and injured patients and can facilitate a resuscitation until the retrieval team arrives. There is scant information regarding the knowledge, skills and abilities required of Telehealth professionals, despite the universal recognition of it requiring a complex skill set, comprehensive understanding of technology and mastery of retrieval medicine. We share the experiences of the South Australia Ambulance Service MedSTAR Emergency Medical Retrieval Service preparing an education programme focussed on the psychometric skills in Telehealth. Our programme realistically simulates Telehealth and coordination systems in use across South Australia, provides in-depth hands-on practice for medical and nursing staff that incorporates teamwork, communication, technical and critical thinking skills and culminates with a mixed-reality simulation scenario and formal debrief.