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Published on: December 22, 2016
High-fidelity simulation training in clinical nutrition and metabolism for critically ill patients: An educational
Antonella Cotoia1, Lucia Di Staso1, Stefania Tamburrano1
1Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Policlinico di Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
Background And Aims:
Optimal nutritional and metabolic support is a cornerstone of intensive care management, yet translating evidence-based guidelines into bedside practice remains challenging due to metabolic instability, organ dysfunction, and patient heterogeneity. While high-fidelity simulation (HFS) is well established in critical care education, its structured application to clinical nutrition and metabolism is poorly documented. This study was primarily a qualitative descriptive investigation aimed to evaluate the educational impact and participant satisfaction of an advanced HFS course focused on nutritional and metabolic management in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods:
This prospective observational educational study was conducted during the NutriLab 2025 - Advanced Nutritional Simulations in ICU course. Twenty healthcare professionals participated in a two-day HFS program integrating interactive lectures with case-based simulation scenarios. Participants were allocated to small groups (maximum five learners). Seventeen participants (85%) completed an anonymous post-course questionnaire based on the Italian-validated Satisfaction with Simulation Experience (SSE-ITA) scale, assessing Kirkpatrick Level 1 outcomes (trainee reaction). The questionnaire assessed debriefing quality, perceived educational effectiveness, clinical reasoning development, and reflective learning. Data were analyzed descriptively.
Results:
Overall satisfaction with the HFS course was high across all 18 items of the SSE-ITA questionnaire, with predominantly strongly agree or agree responses and no negative ratings. Of the 20 attendees, 17 completed the questionnaire; 11 had previous high-fidelity simulation experience and 6 were first-time HFS participants. Stratified analyses showed no statistically significant differences in item ratings between the two groups (all p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
High-fidelity simulation is perceived as a well-accepted and beneficial educational approach for advanced training in clinical nutrition and metabolism in the ICU. Integrating HFS into nutrition education programs may help bridge the gap between guidelines and real-world clinical practice in critically ill patients.
