Development and validation of Simulation Scenario Quality Instrument (SSQI)

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Simulation-Based Training
• Instrument Development and Validation

Background:

• There is a recognized need for validated instruments to evaluate critical components of healthcare simulation scenarios.
• Existing tools may not adequately assess the quality of simulation scenarios used in healthcare education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable instrument for measuring the quality of healthcare simulation scenarios.
• To provide a tool for healthcare educators and simulation experts to enhance simulation-based training.

Main Methods:

• A sequential transformative mixed-method research design was employed.
• Qualitative phase: Focus groups with 17 healthcare simulation experts informed instrument construction.
• Quantitative phase: Piloting on 125 scenarios, followed by construct validity and reliability testing.

Main Results:

• The theoretical model and instrument framework were confirmed by content experts, achieving an average item content validity index (I-CVI) of 0.87.
• Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 10-factor model with excellent fit indices (CFI=0.998, TLI=0.998, RMSEA=0.061).
• The final Simulation Scenario Quality Instrument (SSQI) comprises 44 items across ten domains, rated on a 3-point scale.

Conclusions:

• The developed SSQI is a validated and reliable instrument for assessing healthcare simulation scenarios.
• This instrument will aid educators in developing high-quality simulation-based training and ensuring scenario quality.