Effect of simulated patient death on emergency worker's anxiety: a cluster randomized trial
ObjectiveSimulation based teaching offers promising and diverse teaching possibilities. We aim to assess whether the death of the manikin increased anxiety amongst learner compared to similar simulation based course where the manikin stays alive.MethodsWe conducted a cluster randomized study amongst multidisciplinary teams of emergency workers. Teams of physicians, nurses, and healthcare assistants were randomly assigned to participate in a simulation based course where the simulated patient died (death group) or not (life group) We assessed anxiety at 1 month after the teaching using Spielberger STAI state anxiety questionnaire. We compared reduction of anxiety when facing a life threatening situation in both groups.ResultsWe included 25 teams for a total of 129 participants. We analysed 63 participants in the death group and 57 in the life group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, including baseline anxiety (STAI state score 39.6 (7.8) in the death group vs 38.6 (7.1) in the life group) We report a significant reduction in both groups 1 month after the training: 6.6 (7.8) vs 6 (8.0) mean difference 0.5 2.4; 3.4) At 3 months, we report a significant greater reduction of anxiety in the death group (mean difference 4 [0.1; 7.9].ConclusionWe observed in our sample that unexpected simulated patient death did not increase anxiety amongst multidisciplinary emergency workers.
Annals of Intensive Care