Project summary
Sequential Simulation (SqS) is the physical process of simulating selected aspects of a patient's care pathway. SqS has the potential to simulate an infinite number of scenarios and care pathways. Its application is wide and can be used for a variety of objectives, including:
- Enable progressive multidisciplinary training
- Aid those working in healthcare to visualise their role within the bigger picture
- Allow for critical evaluation of current and future systems
- Test changes and new interventions
- Help patients better understand current and future health systems
- Open a dialogue between patients and healthcare staff outside of the healthcare setting
- Give patients and those involved in their care an opportunity to voice their concerns or opinions around current and future systems
- Aid in the co-design and co-production of new approaches to healthcare
SqS can be undertaken in a variety of settings (dedicated laboratory, simulation suite/centre, replica clinical environment such as Distributed Simulation [DS], multimedia or in-situ simulation) as long as consideration to the context of each scenario is given.
It is outcome-oriented and can be applied to many different aspects of healthcare, for example training of technical and non-technical staff, care pathway re-design and quality improvement. The involvement of stakeholders and a range of expertise from the beginning is crucial in order to ensure authenticity and consistency throughout the process. Key considerations when designing an SqS include the selection of environments and participants, as well as the level of detail required to meet the desired objectives.
Sequential Simulation and its Applications
- Mapping current and future care pathways
- Training multidisciplinary teams to aid coordination and teamwork
- Training of nurses and junior doctors on effective handover
- Engaging front-line staff, patients, carers and managers in the design and implementation of new models of care
- Involving of patients, publics & healthcare staff in early stage research
- Public engagement activities, including hard-to-reach-groups, careers, science & ethics
- Developing community involvement in health care
Other factors that need consideration are the time span (hours, days, months, years) [physical and imaginary], time transitions (time warping), scenario pace, discrete or shared scenario information, embedded and simulated participants, maintenance of conceptual, emotional & physical fidelity (e.g. same patient, same limp, continuation of drug effects etc.) and the detail of the framing to name but a few.
Due to the complexities of simulating healthcare systems that incorporate multidisciplinary healthcare employees and a multitude of patient pathways, a robust and systematic approach is required. We have therefore developed a model based on empirical evidence that aids in the design process of a Sequential Simulation (SqS).
Progress and outputs
Sequential Simulation in action
Breath test for oesophageal cancer
Using SQS to simulate the introduction of a new breath test for oesophageal cancer
Sequential Simulation explained
An introduction to Sequential Simulation
SQS for Hammersmith and Fulham CCG
Using SQS to help a Clinical Commissioning Group redesign its care model
Time-travelling operating theatre
A surgical trip through time
Project Team
Miss Sharon-Marie Weldon
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Miss Sharon-Marie Weldon
Project lead