Developing a Policy Flight Simulator to Facilitate the Adoption of an Evidence-Based Intervention

Abstract

While the use of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) has been advocated by the medical research community for quite some time, uptake of these interventions by healthcare providers has been slow. One possible explanation is that it is challenging for providers to estimate impacts of a specific EBI on their particular organization. To address that concern, we developed and evaluated a type of simulation called a policy flight simulator to determine if it could improve the adoption decision about a specific EBI, the transitional care model (TCM). The TCM uses an advanced practice nurse-led model of care to transition older adults with multiple chronic conditions from a hospitalization to home. An evaluation by a National Advisory Committee, made up of senior representatives from various stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare system, found the policy flight simulator to be a useful tool that has the potential to better inform adoption decisions. This paper describes the simulation development effort and documents lessons learned that may be useful to the healthcare modeling community and those interested in using simulation to support decisions based on EBIs.

Safely learning Intensive Care Unit management by using a Management Flight Simulator

“…The study conducted by de Freitas [107] demonstrated that these types of simulators have a learning function. Other more recent researches also show that the use of MFS has a positive effect on the learning of participants [108,109]. Based on this, we also propose this ICU simulator as a learning tool from two different points of view.…”

A Management Flight Simulator of an Intensive Care Unit

“…Recent research shows that the use of MFS has a positive effect on the learning of participants. (Elsawah et al 2017;Pennock et al 2018). Based on this, we propose this ICU simulator as a learning tool from two different points of view.…”

From behavioural simulation to computer models: how simulation can be used to improve healthcare management and policy

“…When used for training, the objective is to develop mangers’ understanding of the factors and phenomena affecting system performance. For instance, Pennock et al 58 developed a policy flight simulator on the transitional care model, where advanced practice nurses lead the transition of older adults with multiple chronic conditions from a hospitalisation to home. The authors built a computer simulation that shows how this model affects the income of a hospital, depending on factors such as payment system parameters, patient eligibility criteria or bed replacement rates and the uncertainty on these.…”