Health simulation is a particularly important subject and an undeniable source of inspiration for the SafeTeam Academy. Our co-founders, who are passionate about the subject, are both trainers in healthcare simulation and were trained by Dr. François Lecomte, a leading figure in the field. Frédéric and François also worked closely with Professor Bruno Debien, another expert in in-situ simulation, whose work informs the SafeTeam Academy’s training programs, which create ultra-immersive simulations of healthcare professionals providing care in real-life settings. An essential tool for training in high-risk professions, it allows participants to learn technical skills and/or acquire non-technical competencies in a controlled environment. But in practical terms, what is simulation in healthcare? To better understand this training method, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in one of the most renowned simulation trainer training programs in France: the University Diploma in Healthcare Simulation led by Dr. François Lecomte, whom we warmly thank for his invitation. Let’s start with the basics of the technique. Healthcare simulation relies on experiential learning and reflective practice (the art of questioning one’s practice). Simulation incorporates training objectives, practice analysis, and/or risk management. Several simulation methods exist: organic, which relies on a living organism; synthetic, which uses mannequins; and virtual, from which our unique video-simulation format is derived. In general, simulation training sessions include: A briefing, which allows learners to understand the context of the session and its objectives. A simulation period, also called a scenario. A debriefing, a time dedicated to analyzing practices and summarizing. Other elements can be included before and after, depending on the objectives. The simulation is based on situations from the daily lives of healthcare professionals. The simulation must be realistic to have a real impact and facilitate the teaching and memorization of techniques. Educational sciences refer to this as perceived authenticity. The simulated scene will prompt learners to reflect and interpret, which will then be compared with their prior knowledge before the session.
The debriefing session will then help reinforce this new knowledge among healthcare professionals.
The simulation: a pretext for debriefing
The debriefing is a key component of the session. It allows the group to review the simulation and share their feelings and reflections. Learning will emerge from this debriefing, taking root in the learners’ minds and supporting them in their daily practice.
Dr. Lecomte emphasizes the importance of kindness, active listening, and positive feedback during this interaction. He also explains that these soft skills are not sufficiently developed during initial training. Dr. C., an emergency physician with the SAMU (Emergency Medical Service) and a student in the university diploma program, confirms this: “We are technicians; we tend to cling to what we know—the technical aspects.” Simulation in healthcare facilitates the development of listening skills, teamwork, and emotional management. According to Dr. Lecomte, it is preferable to train beforehand, in a controlled setting without patients, to “minimize harm” in real-life situations. This approach thus grants healthcare professionals the “right to make mistakes” as part of their learning process and enables them to critically evaluate their practices. The adage “Never try it on a patient for the first time” stems from this principle.
As explained earlier, observing and analyzing one's own behavior and interactions with others is beneficial for healthcare professionals.
Simulation is also useful for experiencing critical or rare situations, so that you know how to react effectively and calmly when the time comes.
Video simulation, a hallmark of the SafeTeam Academy
Simulation in healthcare has been proven effective for several years, and its significant positive impact on the development of both technical and non-technical skills is unmatched.
Based on this observation, the SafeTeam Academy has developed a unique healthcare training method: video simulation. This format combines the strengths and effectiveness of healthcare simulation with the power of film. The highly realistic and immersive training sessions immerse learners in simulated daily care scenarios. Video simulation serves as a new tool for debriefing. The short, asynchronous format allows learners to manage their work sessions as they see fit. The debriefing is then conducted remotely, in real time, with other peers. Furthermore, the technology is simple to implement and requires no special technical skills. It is in light of these various advantages that the video simulation format is particularly well-suited for training healthcare professionals! Recent findings in cognitive science—particularly regarding mirror neurons—show that we can also learn by watching others. If you’d like to see for yourself, the team will be happy to let you try it out! id="">Sincere simulations!
