Simulation training in neonatology - setting the context

Abstract

Appropriate management of neonatal emergencies not only requires knowledge and skills but also effective teamwork. Adults are experiential learners who learn by reflecting on the clinical situation they were involved with. Simulation is an effective tool to train as a team and also learn by reflection in a safe environment. Simulation brings out the human factors, which significantly contributes to medical errors and helps train in crisis resource management. Simulation based training is now recommended by resuscitation councils worldwide. In neonatal training, simulation can be used as a tool in many contexts - learning psychomotor skills, identifying knowledge gaps, communication skills and teamwork. In situ simulation will also help test the systems. We describe some key contexts wherein simulation based training can be used effectively as a tool to improve clinical care and enhance quality in neonatal medicine.

Keywords

• neonatal simulation
• crisis resource management
• deliberate practice
• in-situ simulation
• breaking bad news.