Educational Perspectives: Telesimulation in Neonatal Resuscitation

Abstract

Health care professionals practicing in rural and critical access hospitals face a great diversity of clinical problems but often only have access to limited support. Geographic boundaries can construct barriers to continuing professional development. In addition, neonatal emergencies may arise infrequently at any given location. Thus, to improve neonatal resuscitation outcomes, particularly at remote and rural sites, it is likely necessary to increase the frequency with which physicians and staff are provided with hands-on simulation and team training to minimize decay. The presence of an instructor who is able to structure simulation experiences to facilitate deliberate practice, targeted assessment, feedback, and reflection may be a critical component of effective simulation, but these expert instructors typically reside in larger centers. Telesimulation, with video linkage to an expert consultant in the field, provides an opportunity for health care professionals in rural or critical access hospitals to support their own continuing education simulation curriculum.

Feasibility of Telesimulation and Google Glass for Mass Casualty Triage Education and Training

“…They also reported that simulation and distance education allows isolated medical personnel the opportunity to practice skills unconstrained by time or distance 19. Telesimulation has also received favorable reviews in fields such as pediatric critical care and neonatal resuscitation 20–22…”

Emergency Management of Tension Pneumothorax for Health Professionals on Remote Cat Island Bahamas

“…Telesimulation has been used to teach a variety of technical emergency medicine skills, such as surgical knots [ 17 ] and intraosseous needles [ 18 ]. It has also been used to teach resuscitations that require team communication skills [ 19 - 20 ]. However, little has been reported on its utility for teaching both (a) a high-stakes low-frequency procedure and (b) communication skills between rural health practitioners and distantly-placed urban consultants.…”

Telesimulation: An Innovative Tool for Health Professions Education

“…Many of these studies have been performed in regions of the world with limited resources that do not have access to costly simulation laboratories, supplies, or trained instructors. Telesimulation has also been used for instruction in critical care fields such as emergency medicine, pediatric anesthesia, and neonatal resuscitation, with some studies utilizing high‐fidelity simulators without the duplication of resources at student locations …”