In Situ Simulation In Improving The Competency Of Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Introduction:In situ simulation has evolved as a particular form of simulation, distinct from the simulation sessions conducted in a simulation center.In situ simulation allows teams to review and reinforce their skills and identify latent system gaps in the actual clinical environment. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an in-situ simulation session to improve the competency level of midwives during the admission procedures at the antenatal, labor, and postnatal wards.

Setting & Design: Pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design

Materials and Methods:A total of Thirty-five midwives posted in maternity wards got selected by a convenient sampling technique. The pre-test was conducted to assess their baseline knowledge. An initial pre-brief was followed by the immersive experience of a single patient admitted to the antenatal ward, delivered in the labor ward, and then admitted to the postnatal ward. Post debriefing post-test was conducted for all.

Results:Most midwives were competent in performing the necessary admission procedure (96.1% in antenatal, 88.46% in labor, and 88.46% in postnatal wards). The mean knowledge score for the post-test was 7.23 ±1.416 when compared to the pre-test 5.86±1.630 (highly significant value of p=0.002). There was a weak positive co-relation between competency scores and post-knowledge scores oflabor ward admission r=0.205, p=0.316, and postnatal admission r=0.210, p=0.303.There was a highly significant association between antenatal competency scores p=0.008 and the age of the participants.

Conclusion:The study reiterates that Situ simulation can be effectively used to improve the competency level of the midwives concerning hospital admission procedures, thereby improving the quality of care. 

Clinical Significance: In-situ simulation is a very effective tool to use in the clinic to improve the skills and competency of the health team workers. It also provides a technique for identifying latent hazards in clinical systems.