Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
09:52
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
15.6K
Simulation exercises as a patient safety strategy: a systematic review
Eric Schmidt1, Sara N Goldhaber-Fiebert, Lawrence A Ho
1Stanford Center for Health Policy/Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research and Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, California, USA.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|March 6, 2013
Summary
Simulation techniques can enhance clinician performance and team collaboration in healthcare. However, evidence for direct improvements in patient safety outcomes from these simulation interventions remains limited, requiring further research.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare simulation
- Patient safety research
- Medical education
Background:
- Simulation is widely used in healthcare for training and skill development.
- The impact of simulation on actual patient safety outcomes is not well-established.
- Existing evidence requires systematic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on the effects of simulation techniques on patient safety outcomes.
- To assess the impact of patient-, team-, and system-level simulation interventions.
- To identify gaps in current research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Cochrane Library up to October 31, 2012.
- Screening of 913 abstracts by a single reviewer.
- Data abstraction from 38 studies reporting patient care outcomes post-simulation.
Main Results:
- Simulation interventions generally improved technical performance of clinicians and teams during critical events and complex procedures.
- Limited evidence indicated patient outcome improvements from system-level simulation.
- Study quality and simulation reporting varied significantly.
Conclusions:
- Simulation effectively enhances individual and team technical skills in healthcare settings.
- More robust evidence is needed to confirm simulation's direct impact on patient safety.
- Standardized reporting and clear patient safety targets are crucial for future simulation research.
