Operating room team training using simulation: Hope or hype?

Background: This study sought to determine the long-term impact of multidisciplinary simulated operating room (OR) team training.

Method: Two-wave survey study (immediate post-training survey 2010-2017, follow-up 2018). Differences across time, specialty, and experience with adverse events were assessed using chi-square and t -tests.

Results: Immediately after training, more than 90% of respondents found simulation scenarios realistic and reported team training would provide safer patient care. However, follow-up participants reported less enthusiasm toward training, with 58% stating they would like to take similar training again. A majority of participants (77%) experienced adverse events after training; those reporting adverse events reported more positive long-term evaluations.

Conclusions: Simulated OR team training is initially highly valued by participants and is perceived as contributing to patient safety. Diminution of participant enthusiasm over time suggests that repeat training requirements be reconsidered, and less costly, alternative methods (such as asynchronous learning or virtual reality) should be explored.