Primary Health Care Research & Development Whole-Team Emergency Simulation Training within Primary Care: Evaluating an Emerging Practice for Multidisciplinary Teams

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of whole team simulation-based training

on participants' learning and impact on practice within a General Practice clinic setting.

Background: Simulation-based education is widely integrated across healthcare

settings, though it predominantly focuses on secondary care. Primary care

professionals also manage acute emergencies, but simulation-based training,

particularly involving the whole practice team, remains underutilised and underevaluated

in this context. This study applies Kirkpatrick’s model to assess the

effectiveness and impact of a multidisciplinary, whole-team simulation-based training

programme implemented in primary care within an Integrated Care System in England.

Methods: We conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with training participants and

held two focus groups with Faculty members. Additionally, four training sessions were

observed to contextualise and enrich the interview data. Interviews, conducted via

Microsoft Teams, explored participants' experiences and the practical impact of the

training on skills and learning. A deductive thematic analysis was undertaken using

NVivo 12, with data categorised according to Kirkpatrick’s model (reaction, learning,

behaviour, results).

Findings: Theme 1) Reaction of participants' experience of the training the program

attracted staff across primary care with differing experience of levels of emergencies

and representing clinical and administrative roles. Theme 2) learning impact on

knowledge, skills and confidence, it provided opportunities to develop and reinforce skills within a relevant, high-quality, and organised training programme. Theme 3)

Impact on practice behaviour, skills and policies, effectively integrated learning and

behaviour, producing positive impacts on practice organisation for emergency

response and providing opportunities to test onsite systems that enabled adaptations

and improvements. In conclusion, learners reported positive changes in both

individuals and practices as a result of the training. The evaluation demonstrates the

impact of whole-team primary care in-situ training for clinical and administrative staff on

improving patient safety and achieving positive outcomes for individuals and

organisations.