The effects of team-training in intensive care medicine: A narrative review

Research into team-training within healthcare is growing exponentially. We aim to evaluate the effects of team-training within intensive care medicine (ICM) through a review of the literature and a narrative synthesis of the results.

A search of OVID Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases was undertaken. Keywords and MESH headings included were "team-based learning", "team-training", "interdisciplinary training", "intensive care medicine", "ICU", "intensive care unit", "critical care teams" and "critical care". Relevant papers were then analysed for a narrative synthesis.

Our search identified 187 articles. A total of 27 papers were analysed and their outcomes were evaluated based on the Kirkpatrick four step model of evaluation.

Team-training has been studied in multiple ICU team types, with crew resource management (CRM) and TeamSTEPPS curricula commonly used to support teaching via simulation. Clinical skills taught have included ALS provision, ECMO initiation, advanced airway management, sepsis management and trauma response skills. Team-training in ICU is well received by staff, facilitates clinical learning, and can positively alter staff behaviors. Few clinical outcomes have been demonstrated and the duration of the behavioral effects is unclear.