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. 2022 Dec 16;7(1):41.
doi: 10.1186/s41077-022-00237-w.

Using simulation-based training during hospital relocation: a controlled intervention study

Anders Lund Schram  1 , Morten Søndergaard Lindhard  2 , Magnus Bie  3 , Maria Louise Gamborg  3 , Neel Toxvig  3 , Gitte Skov  4 , Rune Dall Jensen  3
Affiliations

Using simulation-based training during hospital relocation: a controlled intervention study

Anders Lund Schram et al. Adv Simul (Lond). .

Abstract

Background: During hospital relocations, it is important to support healthcare professionals becoming familiar with new settings. Simulation-based training seems promising and in situ simulation has been suggested as a beneficial educational tool to prepare healthcare professionals for relocation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a simulation-based training intervention on health professionals´ readiness to work in their new environment, as well as investigate sick leave before and after relocation.

Methods: The study was a controlled intervention study implemented at a university hospital in Denmark. Simulation was used to prepare employees for workflows prior to relocation. Before relocation, 1199 healthcare professionals participated in the in situ simulation-based training program. Questionnaires on readiness to perform were distributed to participants at pre-, post-, and follow-up (6 months) measurement. In addition, data on participants' sick leave was gathered from a business intelligence portal. To compare dependent and independent groups, paired and unpaired t tests were performed on mean score of readiness to perform and sick leave.

Results: Compared to the control group, healthcare professionals participating in the intervention felt significantly more ready to work in a new hospital environment. As a measure of psychological wellbeing, register data indicated no difference in sick leave, when comparing intervention and control groups before and after participating in the in situ simulation-based training program.

Conclusions: Healthcare professionals felt significantly more ready to work in a new environment, after participating in the in situ simulation-based training program, indicating that the intervention supported healthcare professionals during relocations. This may mitigate feelings of uncertainty; however, further research is needed to explore such effects.

Trial registration: The study was approved by The Regional Ethics Committee (no. 1-16-02-222-22).

Keywords: Healthcare professionals; Hospital relocation; In situ simulation; Readiness to perform; Sick leave; Uncertainty.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of data collection. Illustration of timeline and types of data
Fig 2
Fig 2
Flow diagram of the process of participant selection for analysis. Description of participation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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