This report is an evaluation of The University of Auckland’s multidisciplinary operating theatre simulation programme. Health Workforce New Zealand contributed to funding the programme over three years.
The evaluation of the programme by The University of Auckland was positive and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. The evaluation key findings found:
- participants rated the course highly in educational value. Almost all found the simulations realistic and that they behaved as they would have in real procedures
- there was no significant difference in the safety attitudes of staff in the operating theatres from which participants were drawn, but there was a significant difference in their communication behaviours following the simulations. The latter finding corresponds with studies where a 14 percent reduction in patient harm has been found
- after the course 63 percent of participants reported positive changes in clinical practice.
The University of Auckland plan to continue with similar programmes as the focus of future work.
Purpose
The goal of the project was to develop a multi-disciplinary educational programme for the operating department utilising simulated learning environments. This included creation of the environment and requirements for the simulations, including models, standards, and instructor training materials; run and evaluate at least two courses with developed tools for measuring behaviours with the purpose of improving team process, efficiency and safety; and reporting to HWFNZ on the progress of the project.