Cross-sector investigation into simulator-based training for maternity emergency management: competence-based issues

ABSTRACT

This paper reports a cross-sector reflection on a current, simulation-based program for maternity emergency management in an Australian healthcare site. It aims to develop our understandings of how learning can be enhanced through simulation and debriefing practices. It discovers how the healthcare and aviation sectors, which have seen increasing collaboration in areas of human factors and non-technical skills in the last decade, can continue to evolve beyond these areas and considers what each sector can learn from the other. A cross-sector research team observed a one-day course on maternity emergencies. The observers took reflective notes progressively throughout the day and held a post-course discussion about their observations and reflections. Thematic analyses of their cross-sector reflections – observation notes and a transcribed team discussion – identified vague understandings of occupational competence embedded in current simulation-based practices. Possible avenues to improve practices were identified, taking into consideration the differing views among researchers from different sectors.

KEYWORDS:

• Simulation
• debriefing
• healthcare
• aviation
• cross-sector research
• cross-disciplinary research

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Griffith Institute for Educational Research under professional, practice-based learning funding. Special thanks to Lauren Peters for her assistance with data collection, and to the faculty and participants involved in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timothy J. Mavin

Dr Mavin is an associate professor in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Australia. He is a member of the Griffith Institute for Educational Research and currently holds the rank of Wing Commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He has experience as an airline captain for a major Australian Airline, Boeing 737 simulator instructor, and registered schoolteacher in Queensland. He has published over 50 books, journal articles and book chapters relating to education and training.

Sarah Janssens

Dr Sarah Janssens is a Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Mater Mothers’ hospital, Australia’s largest maternity hospital.  Sarah is the also Clinical Simulation Director at Mater, overseeing the Simulation Fellowship program with fellows from a range of clinical specialties and professions.  In addition to her work at Mater, Sarah also is Chair of the RANZCOG Simulation Training Advisory Group and Faculty member of the Center for Medical Simulation, Boston.

Yoriko Kikkawa

Dr Yoriko Kikkawa is a research fellow of the Griffith Institute for Educational Research at Griffith University. Yoriko have been helping research students and early career researchers as a qualitative methodologist at the University since 2012. Yoriko conducts cross-cultural, cross-sector, and cross-disciplinary research in areas of teaching, learning, and simulation-based training.

Steven Hodge

Dr Steven Hodge is a senior lecturer in Professional, Vocational and Continuing Education at Griffith University. Steven conducts research in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and allied areas and has a long-standing interest in competency based training and alternative models of curriculum for VET. Prior to moving into the tertiary sector Steven worked in the education and training area, starting with a role in a Group Training organisation and working in diverse roles as a program designer, trainer and manager.

Robyn Dickie

Robyn Dickie (BN, RN, MCritCN and PhD Candidate) is an Education Coordinator at Mater Education, Mater Misercordiae Limited. Robyn have been working as a health professional educator in both the clinical education and university settings. Her education and research focus on teamwork and communication behaviours, interprofessional education and simulation as a teaching modality.