The human face of simulation: patient-focused simulation training.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Patient Safety Training

Background:

• Current healthcare simulation often prioritizes technical skills over crucial interpersonal and professional competencies.
• Existing simulation models may not fully replicate the complexities of real-world patient interactions and clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for patient-focused simulation (PFS) incorporating actors as real patients in training environments.
• To demonstrate how PFS can enhance the practice of technical skills, communication, decision-making, and clinical judgment.
• To support curriculum redesign for integrating simulation within authentic clinical contexts.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development for patient-focused simulation (PFS).
• Review of existing literature and group's prior work on PFS.
• Exploration of PFS application across low, medium, and high complexity settings.

Main Results:

• PFS provides a safe environment for repeated practice of technical skills, patient communication, and team collaboration.
• The approach allows for realistic recreation of important, rare, or complex clinical situations and procedures.
• PFS is adaptable for various experience levels and clinical specialties.

Conclusions:

• Patient-focused simulation (PFS) offers a more authentic and comprehensive training experience by including human actors as patients.
• Integrating PFS can lead to mastery of essential clinical skills and judgment while upholding patient safety.
• Curriculum reform is necessary to embed simulator-based training within realistic contexts that mirror broader clinical practice.