Perceptions of simulation-based training in crisis resource management in the endoscopy unit.

Simulation-based training (SBT) teaches healthcare teams to manage critical events, using crisis resource management skills. The purpose of this study was to assess staff perceptions of using SBT in the endoscopy suite. Nurses and technicians were invited to participate in a training program that used simulation of endoscopy-based scenarios to teach crisis resource management skills. Participants completed surveys prior to, immediately following, and 1-month following SBT. Surveys assessed the usefulness, enjoyment, applicability, and realism of SBT using 5-point Likert scales. Eleven (92%) of the 12 nurses (10 = female, median age = 45 years) and four (80%) of five technicians (3 = female, 37 years of age) participated. Prior to participation, nurses with more than 5 years' experience rated their expected enjoyment of SBT to be lower than less-experienced peers (mean = 2.6 vs. 4.5, p =.005). When surveyed immediately after participation, both groups reported SBT to be highly useful (mean ± SD, 4.6 ± 0.9 vs. 5.0 ± 0), enjoyable (3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 4.6 ± 0.5), applicable (4.0 ± 0.8 vs. 4.7 ± 0.8), and realistic (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 4.7 ± 0.8). One month after training, 14 of the 15 participants expressed interest in future programs, using simulation to practice crisis resource management skills. Findings suggest that SBT may serve as an enjoyable, applicable, and realistic tool to enhance a team's performance in the endoscopy suite across all caregivers and different levels of experience.