Virtual tabletop simulations for primary care pandemic preparedness and response

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Clinical simulation methodology
• Primary care practice

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread adoption of clinical simulations to enhance healthcare procedures.
• Virtual tabletop simulation (TTS) was deployed in primary care (PC) clinics in Alberta, Canada.
• This initiative aimed to summarize quality and safety improvements and gather end-user perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the deployment of a virtual TTS method in primary care settings.
• To summarize quality and safety improvements achieved through virtual TTS.
• To report end-user perspectives on the effectiveness of virtual TTS.

Main Methods:

• Virtual TTS sessions utilized teleconferencing and digital whiteboards for patient scenario walkthroughs.
• Clinic stakeholders reviewed and rehearsed workflows and care practices.
• Follow-up interviews were conducted to gather feedback on the simulation experience.

Main Results:

• Virtual TTS facilitated the identification and co-design of solutions for clinical hazards, including patient flow, communication, and space redesign.
• Staff reported that sessions offered neutral environments for discussing practice changes.
• Participants gained confidence in delivering safe patient care during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Virtual TTS offers a novel approach to improving clinical practice in outpatient settings, bridging knowledge and practice gaps.
• The method provides a guided space for rehearsing clinical changes and adapting to evolving policies.
• Virtual TTS is adaptable to various contexts, including low-resource settings, to enhance safety and team confidence.