Examining the Effect of a Scripted Debriefing on Resuscitation Performance in Pediatrics (EXPRESS)

KidSIM Simulation Program

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pediatric Cardiac Arrest (Simulated)

Treatments: Other: Debriefing Script; Other: High Physical Realism Simulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NETWORK

Identifiers

NCT01682629

1-Robertson

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigative team's purpose for conducting this research is to improve effective and efficient translation and implementation of evidence based advanced life support practice to providers of care for children. This specific project aims to accomplish 2 major goals. The investigators aim to evaluate the utility of a debriefing script specifically designed to facilitate debriefing when used by novice Pediatric Advanced Life Support instructors during low and high realism simulation-based learning. Secondly, the investigators hope to evaluate the effectiveness of high realism simulation vs. low realism simulation in achieving PALS-based educational outcomes, such as knowledge and skill acquisition.

The investigators hypothesize that SCRIPTED debriefing by novice instructors following low and high fidelity simulation-based learning will :

1. Improve the cognitive performance and knowledge of multidisciplinary team members as assessed by a cognitive performance tool and multiple choice testing compared with more traditional, NON-SCRIPTED debriefing;
2. Improve the behavioural, teamwork and communication skills of multidisciplinary team members as assessed by a validated assessment tool compared with more traditional, NON-SCRIPTED debriefing;

The investigators hypothesize that HIGH REALISM simulation-based learning will:

1. Improve the cognitive performance and knowledge of multidisciplinary team members as assessed by a cognitive performance tool and multiple choice testing compared with more traditional, LOW REALISM simulation;
2. Improve the behavioural, teamwork and communication skills of multidisciplinary team members as assessed by a validated assessment tool compared with more traditional, LOW REALISM simulation;

Enrollment: 443 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria (Novice Instructors):

• senior residents (general pediatric, emergency medicine, pediatric subspecialty) in year three of training or above
• nursing staff, respiratory therapists or paramedics with greater than 5 years of clinical experience
• recent PALS certification within the past 2 years

Inclusion Criteria (Team composition)

• 1 or 2 pediatric nurses, 2 physicians (residents/fellows in pediatrics, anesthesia, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric critical care or pediatric anesthesia) and/or 1 pediatric respiratory therapist or 1 pediatric transport paramedic

Exclusion Criteria (Novice Instructors):

• experienced instructors, defined as having taught three or more courses for healthcare professionals where simulation was followed by debriefing

Exclusion Criteria (Team composition)

• N/A

Trial design

443 participants in 4 patient groups

Non-Scripted Debriefing, Low Realism Simulation

No Intervention group

Description:

A debriefing script was designed for novice instructors to facilitate a 20-minute debriefing session. In this arm, novice instructors were provided the scenario learning objectives but NO SCRIPT, and asked to observe the simulation and conduct a 20 minute debriefing. The simulation scenario itself was conducted with an infant simulator. The low realism group had the simulator with the compressor turned off, thus eliminating the functionality of physical findings.

Scripted debriefing, Low Realism

Experimental group

Description:

In this arm, novice instructors were provided the scenario learning objectives WITH A DEBRIEFING SCRIPT, and asked to observe the simulation and conduct a 20 minute debriefing USING THE SCRIPT. The lo realism group had the simulator with the compressor turned on, thus eliminating the functionality of physical findings.

Treatment:

Other: Debriefing Script

non-Scripted Debriefing, High Realism Simulation

Experimental group

Description:

In this arm, novice instructors were provided the scenario learning objectives WITHOUT A DEBRIEFING SCRIPT, and asked to observe the simulation and conduct a 20 minute debriefing WITHOUT USING THE SCRIPT. The hi realism group had the simulator with the compressor turned on, thus activating the functionality of physical findings.

Treatment:

Other: High Physical Realism Simulation

Scripted Debriefing, High Realism Simulation

Experimental group

Description:

In this arm, novice instructors were provided the scenario learning objectives WITH A DEBRIEFING SCRIPT, and asked to observe the simulation and conduct a 20 minute debriefing USING THE SCRIPT. The hi realism group had the simulator with the compressor turned on, thus activating the functionality of physical findings.

Treatment:

Other: Debriefing Script

Other: High Physical Realism Simulation