Crew Resource Management Training for Surgical Teams, A Fragmented Landscape

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality
• Patient Safety
• Medical Education

Background:

• Medical Crew Resource Management (CRM) training aims to improve patient safety by mitigating human errors.
• While popular in surgery, the impact of CRM training on patient outcomes remains unclear.
• Surgical teams recognize the need for team collaboration skills but lack criteria for selecting CRM courses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare Medical CRM training courses based on didactic components and simulation exercises.
• To determine if existing Medical CRM training courses are interchangeable for surgical teams.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• Interviews conducted with 10 primary CRM training providers for surgical teams in the Netherlands.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in CRM training course content, with simulation exercises showing the most substantial differences.
• Nine out of ten trainers advocated for standardized simulation exercises to ensure consistent CRM training quality.
• Trainers believe implementing medical CRM can decrease human errors and preventable patient complications, suggesting quality standards for trainers.

Conclusions:

• Medical CRM training courses are diverse and not interchangeable.
• Standardization of CRM training and integration into surgical training and operating theatre culture are expected to benefit patients and professionals.