Enhancing Observer Engagement During Undergraduate Critical Care Simulation Using Crisis Resource Management...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation-Based Learning
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Simulation-based education often lacks structured roles for observers, leading to disengagement.
• Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles offer a framework to enhance observer engagement and learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of structured observer roles based on CRM principles on medical student engagement and learning in critical care simulations.
• To assess observer confidence, focus, and perceived educational value.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving senior-cycle medical students in critical care simulations.
• Intervention group observers used CRM principles with assigned domains and structured checklists.
• Control group observers completed standard simulations without structured roles.

Main Results:

• Intervention group observers reported significantly higher confidence in identifying key actions and decisions (OR=2.50, P=0.037).
• 95.5% of intervention students reported improved focus, and 93% endorsed continued CRM use.
• Qualitative feedback highlighted increased interactivity and deeper understanding of team dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Structured observer engagement via CRM principles improves learning outcomes, critical thinking, and confidence in evaluating teamwork.
• This approach provides observers with analytical focus and promotes meaningful participation.
• CRM-based observer roles are a scalable, low-cost method to enhance simulation education for medical students.