Influence of presence in an inter-professional simulation training of the emergency caesarean section: a...

Emergency training using simulation is a method to increase patient safety in the delivery room. The effect of individual training concepts is critically discussed and requires evaluation. A possible influence factor of success can be the perceived reality of the participants. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence in a simulated emergency caesarean section improves subjective effect of the training and evaluation.

In this observation study, professionals took part in simulated emergency caesarean sections to improve workflow and non-technical skills. Presence was measured by means of a validated questionnaire, effects and evaluation by means of a newly created questionnaire directly after the training. Primary outcome was a correlation between presence and assumed effect of training and evaluation.

106 participants (70% of course participants) answered the questionnaires. Reliability of the presence scale was good (Cronbach's alpha 0.72). The presence correlated significantly with all evaluated items of non-technical skills and evaluation of the course. The factor "mutual support" showed a high effect size (0.639), the overall evaluation of the course (0.395) and the willingness to participate again (0.350) a medium effect. There were no differences between the professional groups.

The presence correlates with the assumed training objectives and evaluation of the course. If training is not successful, it is one factor that needs to be improved.