BackgroundIn Japan, nursing education is being reformed to improve nurses' competency. Interest in use of simulation-based education to increase nurses' competency is increasing.ObjectivesTo examine the effectiveness of simulation-based education in improving competency of cardiovascular critical care nurses.MethodsA training program that consisted of lectures, training in cardiovascular procedures, and scenario simulations was conducted with 24 Japanese nurses working at a university hospital. Participants were allocated to 4 groups, each of which visited 4 zones and underwent scenario simulations that included debriefings during and after the simulations. In each zone, the scenario simulation was repeated and participants assessed their own technical skills by scoring their performance on a rubric. Before and after the simulations, participants also completed a survey that used the Teamwork Activity Inventory in Nursing Scale (TAINS) to assess their nontechnical skills.ResultsAll the groups showed increased rubric scores after the second simulation compared with the rubric scores obtained after the first simulation, despite differences in the order in which the scenarios were presented. Furthermore, the survey revealed significant increases in scores on the teamwork scale for the following subscale items: “Attitudes of the superior” (P < .001), “Job satisfaction” (P = .01), and “Confidence as a team member” (P = .004).ConclusionsOur new educational approach of using repeated scenario simulations and TAINS seemed not only to enhance individual nurses' technical skills in critical care nursing but also to improve their nontechnical skills somewhat.

Although the methods for medical education continue to evolve due to the development of medicines, the cadaver dissection course still plays a fundamental role. The cadaver dissection course allows students to learn to handle instruments correctly while actively exploring three‐dimensional anatomy. However, dissection comes with the risk of accidental injury. In recent years, the number of classes offered for the cadaver dissection course has decreased while the amount of knowledge required in clinical medicine has increased. Simulation‐based education (SBE) has been proven to be an effective educational method that enhances the development of practical skills by integrating learners' knowledge and skills. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SBE as a preparatory education course when taken prior to a medical student's enrollment in the cadaver dissection course. In the present study, an SBE assuming practical cadaver dissection course was performed in the Clinical Simulation Center. The frequency of injury rates per 1000 h of cadaver dissection course was significantly less in 2017 and 2018 compared to that in 2016. Two years after the implementation of the SBE, average student self‐efficacy scores and written examination scores significantly increased, whereas self‐contentment scores were relatively unchanged. The results showed that the implementation of SBE decreased the incidence of injuries and improved students' overall self‐efficacy scores and increased acquisition of knowledge evident on written examination score. Therefore, SBE as a preparatory education course may effectively promote the combined development of dissection skills and anatomical knowledge in the subsequent fundamental cadaver dissection course.

Introduction: Health care educators are challenged with helping clinicians develop competencies beyond their foundational training. In health care systems where continuing professional development is not integral to practice, clinicians may have few opportunities. We describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a professional development program in patient safety for Japanese clinical educators to acquire simulation instructional skills and become Patient Safety Champions at their organizations. Methods: Mixed methods were used in a longitudinal pre/post study design. The Kirkpatrick evaluation model was used to evaluate outcomes of a workshop, overall program, on-site training experiences, and impact as Patient Safety Champions. Selfassessment data on skills and knowledge of patient safety, simulation instructional methods, interprofessional collaboration, and leadership were collected and analyzed. Results: Eighty-nine percent of participants facilitated on-site patient safety training within 6 months of workshop completion. Skills and knowledge improvement were observed immediately postworkshop in four categories: patient safety, simulation instructional methods, interprofessional collaboration and communication, and leadership as a patient safety champion. Skills and knowledge increased at 6 months after facilitation of on-site safety training. Program mean satisfaction scores ranged from 84% to 92%. Mean Patient Safety Champion in-facility evaluations were 4.2 to 4.7 on a 5-point scale. Discussion: High levels of knowledge, skill retention, and behavior change are attributed to goal setting, outcome-oriented pedagogy, and reflective sessions. The Patient Safety Champion model and experiential learning approach gave Japanese clinical educators in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy an opportunity to learn from each other in simulations reflecting the practice environment.