Simulation training for clinicians returning to practice

Many doctors take time out of clinical practice, and then have decreased confidence and poor performance ratings on their return. Simulation training provides a safe and effective learning platform for healthcare professionals to become immersed in realistic scenarios that provide an opportunity to develop technical and non-technical skills. A standardised, 1-day, multi-fidelity, interprofessional, simulation training course was developed and delivered at four sites, focusing on human factors, patient safety and acute clinical scenarios relevant for clinicians returning to practice in internal medicine. A total of 56 participants, with a median time out of training of 3.6 years, attended seven courses. Quantitative and qualitative analysis showed a significant pre/post-course increase in candidates' self-reported confidence in returning to practice along with learning in non-technical skills. The carefully designed standardised format may facilitate wider expansion of such training.