Collaborative healthcare remodelling through sequential simulation: a patient and front-line staff perspective

The Department of health funded an initiative to pioneer new approaches that would create a more integrated form of care.

In order to receive funding, local Clinical Commissioning Groups were required to engage a range of stakeholders in a practical approach that generated the development of an integrated model of care.

Two sequential simulation (SqS) workshops comprising 65 and 93 participants, respectively, were designed using real patient scenarios from the locality, covering areas of general practice, community health and adult social care. Workshops were attended by a diverse group of stakeholders. The first workshop addressed current care pathways and the second modelled ideal care pathways generated from the data obtained at the first workshop.

Discussions were captured through video recording, field-notes and pre and post questionnaires. Data was collated, transcribed and analysed through a combination of descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

The questionnaires revealed that attendees strongly agreed that they had had an opportunity to contribute to all discussions and raise questions, concerns and ideas (100%). Pre and post knowledge of current and new models of care was vastly improved. The opportunity to share information and to network was valued, with the SqS approach seen as breaking professional barriers (100%).

Simulation can be used as a tool to engage stakeholders in designing integrated models of care. The systematic data collection from the diverse ideas generated also allows for a much-needed 'ear' to those providing the solutions, as well as a legitimate and balanced perspective.