© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit sample portion of 'Pocket Book for Simulation Debriefing in Healthcare'. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59882-6

Context The ability to perform clinical procedures safely is a key skill for health care professionals. Performing such procedures on conscious patients is challenging and requires a combination of technical and communication skills. We have developed quasi-clinical scenarios, where inanimate models attached to simulated patients provide a convincing learning environment. Procedures are rated by expert observers and by the ‘patient’ and recorded for subsequent review. This study explores the potential of locating such scenarios within a real clinical setting, allowing participants to experience the challenges of the workplace while ensuring patient safety. An innovative portable digital recording device (the ‘Virtual Chaperone’) is evaluated for use in clinical settings.Methods A qualitative design (observation and interview studies) investigated volunteer medical students undertaking 2 procedure scenarios (insertion of urinary catheter and wound closure with sutures) within the accident unit of a large London hospital. All procedures were observed in real time and recorded digitally (using the Virtual Chaperone). A protocol was used for structured feedback. Observational and interview data was analysed using standard qualitative techniques.Results Seven sessions with 22 undergraduate medical students took place over 9 months within 1 centre. Data confirmed the feasibility of using a moveable, self-contained training scenario within an authentic clinical setting. Overall, the response from participants was positive.Conclusion Scenario-based teaching within an authentic clinical environment is feasible and perceived by participants to be educationally useful. This approach blurs traditional boundaries between skills laboratory teaching and clinical practice and may offer considerable advantages in training for clinical procedures.

Postsimulation debriefing is a critical component of effective learning in simulation-based health care education. Numerous formats in which to conduct the debriefing have been proposed. In this report, we describe the adaptation the US Army's After-Action Review (AAR) debriefing format for postsimulation debriefing in health care. The Army's AAR format is based on sound educational theory and has been used with great success in the US Army and civilian organizations for decades. Debriefing using the health care simulation AAR process requires planning, preparation, and follow-up. Conducting a postsimulation debriefing using the health care simulation AAR debriefing format includes 7 sequential steps as follows: (1) define the rules of the debriefing, (2) explain the learning objectives of the simulation, (3) benchmark performance, (4) review what was supposed to happen during the simulation, (5) identify what actually happened, (6) examine why events occurred the way they did, and (7) formalize learning by reviewing with the group what went well, what did not go well and what they would do differently if faced with a similar situation in real life. We feel that the use of the health care simulation AAR debriefing format provides a structured and supported method to conduct an effective postsimulation debriefing, with a focus on the learning objectives and reliance on preidentified performance standards.

The development of appropriate scenarios is critical in high-fidelity simulation training. They need to be developed to address specific learning objectives, while not preventing other learning points from emerging. Buying a patient simulator, finding a volunteer to act as the patient, or even obtaining ready-made scenarios from another simulation center are rarely insurmountable challenges. The issue often lies in how to use or adapt these for your own purpose: with your team, facilities, and resources but primarily for your learners. Published information is limited in the area of scenario preparation for health care education and continuing medical education or continuing professional development. This article is a guide for clinical tutors, standardized patient trainers, and patient simulator operators on how to script scenarios and proposes a new detailed and reusable template for writing scenarios. It contains practical sections such as how to decide on the learning objectives...