The Influence of Culture on Teamwork and Communication in a Simulation-Based Resuscitation Training at a Community Hospital in Honduras

Abstract

Summary Statement Communication and teamwork are important aspects of medicine and have been a recent focus of resuscitation. Culture can influence communication and teamwork, and these effects have not been studied in low-resource settings. Using a case study and the TEAM scale, we evaluated how culture influences teamwork and communication during resuscitation simulations, in addition to examining other challenges of simulation research in low-resource settings. We observed lower scores in leadership and communication skills than have been seen in other studies using the TEAM scale, which led us to evaluate the possible role of culture in influencing these skills. The high power distance and collectivism in Latin America can make communication difficult, especially during debriefing. Furthermore, in a male-biased medical hierarchy, female nurses may be less likely to voice concerns. Ultimately, this commentary provides advice for taking the influences of culture into account when planning future simulation training in low-resource settings.

Emergency medical staff’s perceptions on cultural value difference‐based teamwork issues: A phenomenological study in China

“…People from Eastern coastal areas are more innovative and more likely to take risks. They have individualistic tendencies, are brave in performance and are not afraid of authority (Genoguri, 2016 (Perry et al, 2018).…”

“…Many factors affect the efficiency of teamwork, and one of the most important factors is cultural differences (Perry et al, 2018).…”

Simulation and Modeling Applications in Global Health Security

“…Simulation should be combined with hands-on learning, particularly for psychomotor skills. Care must be taken to ensure that SBT is aligned with local cultural norms and is respectful of local health-care customs and traditions, including recognizing that roles of different professionals may vary, particularly roles of-nontraditional healers, and uses of different medications and therapies [122,123], Remote facilitated simulation-based learning is technically feasible with low-cost, pre-existing, and easy access resources. This can be applied to any simulators driven by personal computer.…”

A Review of Anesthesia Simulation in Low-Income Countries

“…Skelton et al [31•] demonstrated improvement in ANTS practice through low-fidelity simulation in a low-income country, but additional studies are needed to identify and evaluate the influence of culture on teamwork and communication to better tailor educational programs to a country's needs. Using the TEAM scale, a validated tool for measuring behavior skills in emergency resuscitation, Perry et al [34] observed lower scores in leadership and communication skills after a Neonatal Resuscitation Program in Honduras. Upon further evaluation, the authors noted that high power distances (social status differences), which reinforce an unequal power distribution, and a culture of collectivism, which values group loyalty, made communication difficult during debriefing.…”