Table 1 Considerations for the “Input phase” of translational simulation
Examples of stakeholders to involve | |
|---|---|
Process experts | Simulationists (design, delivery, and debrief), simulation technologists, designers, change agents (ideally with translational simulation experience) |
Content experts | Interprofessional clinical experts, non-clinical experts (e.g. human factors/ergonomics, design and planning, engineers, information technology, hospital services) |
Frontline workers | Healthcare professionals who interface with the clinical problem as part of their daily work and understand ‘work as actually done’ |
Leadership | Department heads, hospital executive, institutional committees, clinical governance |
Consumers | Patient advocates, people who can share patient experience |
Sources of information useful for defining the problem • Prior translational simulation outputs • Benchmarking and standards • Organisational priorities • Clinical governance issues (e.g. sentinel events, incident monitoring systems) • Key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics • Direct observation of relevant personnel and processes • Interviews, focus groups and surveys of relevant personnel • Artefact analysis (e.g. guidelines, cognitive aids, meeting minutes) • Capital works plans and designs • Engineering and/or ergonomic assessments • Brainstorm sessions and workshops involving relevant personnel • Government or institutional policy documents • Public health advice on emerging threats (e.g. pandemics) | |
Factors that influence the value of a translational simulation project • Institutional priorities • Patient-oriented outcomes • Return on investment (ROI) (impact, efficiency, financial) • Impact on patient and staff experience • Local team support for project • Follow-up plan to show impact • Available resources (simulation and clinical) • High-value reporting strategy • Institutional readiness for change • Opportunity for research (requiring ethics approval) • Opportunity cost (what other translational simulation projects could be done?) • Safety (risk mitigation of unintended consequences) | |