Simulation training in palliative care: state of the art and future directions

Figures & data

Figure 1 PRISMA flow diagram illustrating the selection process of articles.

Table 1 Learner characteristics in SBME studies

Learner characteristics	n (%), total n = 78
Profession
Medicine	59 (76)
Nursing	30 (38)
Social work	5 (6)
Chaplaincy	2 (3)
Unspecified	2 (3)
Trainee level
Student	38 (49)
Resident	23 (29)
Fellow	14 (18)
Practicing providera	17 (22)
Not specified	1 (1)
Specialty/subspecialty	n = 40
Internal and family medicine	16 (40)
Critical care	6 (15)
Oncology	5 (13)
HPM	5 (13)
Geriatrics	3 (8)
Nephrology	2 (5)
Pediatrics	8 (20)
PICU	4 (10)
NICU	2 (5)
Oncology	1 (3)
EMb	1 (3)
Cardiology	1 (3)
Surgery	3 (8)
EM	3 (8)
OB-GYN	2 (5)
Neurology	1 (3)

Notes:

a Includes licensed, independently practicing physicians, nurses, and advanced practice nurses.

b Pediatric EM requires a fellowship after pediatrics, while adult EM does not. Note that percentages may not add up to 100%, as more than one code could be selected for some variables.

Abbreviations: EM, emergency medicine; HPM, hospice and palliative medicine; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; OB-GYN, obstetrics-gynecology; PICU, pediatric intensive care unit; SBME, simulation-based medical education.

Table 2 Simulation methodology characteristics in SBME studies

Simulation characteristics	n (%), total n = 78
Simulation type
SP encounter	53 (68)
Simulation laboratory	12 (15)
Role play, sociodrama	8 (10)
Computer-based exercise	6 (8)
Skill focus
Eliciting treatment preferences	39 (50)
Delivering bad news	32 (41)
Empathic communication	31 (40)
Symptom management	10 (13)
Team communication	5 (6)
Others	8 (10)
Debrief
Yes	59 (76)
No	19 (24)
Method of simulation assessment
Participant feedback	48 (62)
Not assessed	17 (22)
Post-simulation OSCE	13 (17)
Patient outcomes	3 (4)

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100%, as more than one code could be selected for some variables.

Abbreviations: OSCE, objective structured clinical examination; SBME, simulation-based medical education; SP, standardized patient.