Teaching beyond skills: The psychological effect of a simulation training in the COVID 19 era

Abstract

Background: Health professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic suffer significant anxiety and depression symptoms (42-71%). This study aimed to explore how a multilevel simulation-based training influences their perception of psychological well-being and distress.

Methods, A pre-post quasi-experimental study evaluated a training intervention that included three phases: Pre-test, Simulation-based training and  Post-test. The Simulation-based training consisted in a circuit of three hybrid simulation-based stations with role- plays and low-fidelity simulators about proper use of personal protective equipment, airway management and basic care of the COVID-19 patients. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the quantitative variables. 

Results: The level of perceived distress facing the care of COVID-19 patients in the pretest was 21% (n=30). However, after the training, that perception was 32.4% (n=47) (p<0.05).   Most of the participants perceived that the simulation-based training contributed to their psychological wellbeing and preparedness, 80% (n=117) versus 20% (n= 29) who considered little or nothing (p= 0.001)

Discussion: Changes in the pre and post- intervention participants ‘perceptions in the different dimensions (preparedness) are consistent with the educational theories of learning. A positive influence of the training on the psychological wellbeing of the participants was evident