'Everybody's voice is important': using translational simulation as a component of change management

Changes in healthcare systems are often highly stressful experiences for healthcare teams, contributing to disengagement and resistance to change. Translational simulation has been shown to be impactful at both organisational and department-based levels; however, its impact on the experience of change for frontline staff has not, to date, been explicitly explored. Understanding the impact of translational simulation on the perception of teams exposed to healthcare system changes, and how to optimise our approaches to support change management on a team and individual level, may be the difference between an overwhelmed and disengaged workforce and a positive and engaged one.

We used template analysis as an analytic tool to gain new understanding of the impact of translational simulation on the experiences of staff members undergoing change. Utilising Bartunek et al.'s (2006) conceptual framework to inform the priori themes of our template, we interviewed nine Registered Nurses involved in a major relocation into a purpose-built paediatric hospital in Edinburgh, UK. We sequenced the interviews to take place in the lead up to a planned simulation event, with a follow up second interview 1 month after the hospital move. On the day of the simulation, we additionally collected a series of 'headline' thoughts from the group across the simulation to track their thoughts and feelings toward the move. Interviews and 'headlines' were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed using template analysis methods.

Our findings demonstrate that the use of translational simulation significantly enhanced staff preparedness and engagement during a major hospital relocation, suggesting that incorporating such approaches can be a valuable component of change management strategies in healthcare settings.

Whilst further research is required, these findings promote the considered use of translational simulation as a potentially significant component of the change management process.