High-fidelity simulation in post-graduate training and assessment: an Irish perspective.

BACKGROUND

Lack of financial resources was internationally ranked as the greatest limitation to the application of human physiological simulation in clinical teaching. The Beaumont Simulation Centre in the Republic of Ireland is solely funded by once-off grant payments. Attracting a range of health care specialties through course diversity can offset costs.

AIMS

This survey of simulator course evaluations aimed to determine attitudes of an array of Irish health care professionals towards full-scale simulation.

METHODS

Anaesthetists (n = 51), nurses (n = 48) and dentists (n = 12) rated simulator-based courses and use of simulation for competency assessment with a self-reporting questionnaire with a five-point scale (1 = poor, 5 = excellent).

RESULTS

Participants rated the courses from very good to excellent and were of the opinion that full-scale simulation is acceptable and appropriate for both education and competency assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates successful post-graduate course development in a simulation centre with narrow budgetary restrictions. In addition, it is the first to examine Irish anaesthetists', nurses' and dentists' attitudes towards full-scale simulation as an assessment tool.