Facilitating Tough Conversations: Using an Innovative Simulation-Primed Qualitative Inquiry in Pediatric Research

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research methodology
• Qualitative inquiry
• Medical simulation

Background:

• Exploring complex pediatric healthcare issues can be challenging due to topic sensitivity or rarity.
• Health care simulation, rooted in constructivist learning, traditionally serves educational purposes.
• Simulation can emotionally engage participants, priming them for open dialogue in research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the framework of simulation-primed qualitative inquiry.
• To highlight its utility in overcoming barriers in pediatric health research.
• To explore the potential of simulation to enrich qualitative data collection.

Main Methods:

• The framework involves three iterative steps: determining applicability, designing the simulation, and planning data collection.
• Simulation design considers medium, technology, theoretical frameworks, and quality to create relevant simulated realities.
• Data collection emphasizes qualitative approaches and methods, prioritizing participant psychological safety.

Main Results:

• A literature review identified 37 articles utilizing simulation-primed qualitative inquiry.
• The method was applied across diverse clinical and educational research topics.
• A range of simulation modalities and qualitative methods were employed.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-primed qualitative inquiry is a powerful technique for exploring sensitive or difficult topics in pediatrics.
• It can enrich qualitative data by leveraging participant engagement through simulated experiences.
• While resource and safety considerations are important, this method offers a valuable approach to vulnerable populations.