This month’s paper was Lack of Diversity in Simulation Technology  by Conigliaro et al from Simulation in Healthcare. Vic and Ben were joined by Jess and our special guest Dr Karanjot Lall (@KaranjotLall)

We spoke about the paper’s findings – the predominance of white skinned mannikins in advertising materials – and how simulation might instead be able to contribute to antiracism and better representation of traditionally marginalised groups. We also highlighted Debra’s Nestel’s recent SESAM keynote on a similar topic and recommend this as additional viewing !

The COVID intubation box, a hot topic on social media – is it safe or effective? 

Jessica (not Jesse…) hosts her first podcast with guests Jonathan Begley, Albert Chan and Vic Brazil exploring a new paper in Anaesthesia – An aerosol box for intubation in COVID-19 patients: an in-situ simulation crossover study.  

We cover why they conducted the study, the outcomes, the use of simulation and future direction. We also discussed some interesting topics like the MacGuyver Bias and the article that Albert wrote in Life in The Fast Lane about the intubation box.  

MacGuyver Bias Article - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12630-019-01361-4 

Albert’s Life in the Fast Lane Article - https://litfl.com/should-we-use-an-aerosol-box-for-intubation/  

Ben and Vic discuss the paper of the month(s) - Cheng, A et al  A Conceptual Framework for the Development of Debriefing Skills.  - and attempt to summarise the brilliant discussion from the blog comments. 

We discuss the elements of ‘good debriefing’, reflect on the value of having a conceptual framework for debriefing skill development, and take a deeper dive into the nature of ‘adaptive expertise’. We talk about Kris Krogh’s practice development triangle and draw on the wisdom of Booker’s rule of three and Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette. We agree to embrace the ‘rich palette’ of debriefing skills, but encourage first learning the rules about how to make purple…….  

Vic spoke with (Dr) Jess Stokes-Parish and Steph Barwick about the ‘Women in Simulation’ Initiative within Simulation Australasia. Diversity is important in professional communities and Steph and Jess explained a bit about the background to this initiative, the work so far and how this can positively influence policy and support diversity within simulation. 

If you’re interested in the upcoming webinar series, find out more info or register here https://my.simaust.com/events - this Masterclass Series will run on June 4, June 18 and July 2 covering building confidence, kicking imposter syndrome to the curb and building a personal brand.  

And the link to the FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/285101322099769  

Can simulation be ‘too real’? Can this ‘hyper-reality’ actually have negative impacts on learning? 

Vic takes a deep breath and dives into theory with the team from Queens University Belfast, including Jenny Johnston, Helen Reid and Gerry Gormley. We discuss their recent Medical Education article - Into the uncanny valley: simulation versus simulacrum?  

Eve Purdy joined the chat to offer her unique anthropological perspectives. 

If you’ve ever felt slightly uncomfortable with OSCEs or breaking bad news to a plastic mannequin, this might help you understand why….. 

This month Ben and Vic discuss 4 papers, in a bit of a variation to our usual format. 

In the first paper, the authors compare VR and ‘live’ team-based simulation for interprofessional student groups, and suggest these modalities have the same outcome, as measured by performance on a team communication assessment. Next we discuss Natarajah and colleagues’ brilliant work in Myanmar, using a low cost simulator for training to use air enemas in paediatric intussusception, with measurably improved patient outcomes. 

In our third paper, Brown and colleagues offers a new approach to debriefing large groups, such as might be needed in large scale trauma simulations - offer us ‘simultaneous successive debriefing’. 

And finally – we discuss Laura Rock’s BMJ Opinion piece - Don’t answer feelings with facts.  Guidance for our conversations in the clinical and simulation contexts, and well beyond. 

Join the conversation for next month, when we pick up the March JC paper and review. Leave your comments and thoughts here. 

All the best 

vb 

In this podcast, we got the full team together, Vic, Ben, Jess and Jesse, and thought we would "show our workings" through having a structured team debrief while looking in on any lessons emerging from our individual work contexts

Dr Gabe Reedy has been announced as the new Editor in Chief for Advances in Simulation. Vic speaks with him about his background, his vision for the journal, and the role of journals in supporting healthcare workers, simulationists and academics during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

His gives tribute to Professor Debra Nestel, the outgoing EIC, and tells us he aims to ‘live the title’ – aiming to be advancing the field – for scholars and practitioners. 

Simulcast looks forward to our continued collaboration with Gabe and with Advances.  

In this next instalment in our collaboration with Advances in Simulation, Ben speaks with Dr Barbara Walsh and discussant Dr Ben Lawton (@paedsem) regarding how to bring simulation to the masses. 

Community-based in situ simulation: bringing simulation to the masses 

Authors: Barbara M. Walsh, Marc A. Auerbach, Marcie N. Gawel, Linda L. Brown, Bobbi J. Byrne and Aaron Calhoun 

Despite advances in simulation technology and widespread understanding of the process, is healthcare simulation being delivered in the places that need it most? 

Writing in Advances in Simulation, Dr Barbara Walsh and colleagues explore technological innovations and organization strategies to bring simulation outside academic or large hospital settings to other locations in need of healthcare simulation. 

IN this episode, we’ve asked five of our simulation colleagues to tell us what they’re doing, what they’ve found and any advice they might have for others as they work with their clinical colleagues on this challenge. 

In this episode you’ll hear from: 

Albert Chan (@gaseousXchange) from Hong Kong , with a great airway management infographic  

Andrew Petrosoniak (@petrosoniak) from Toronto, Canada 

Tim Willett (@SIMtim_one), also from Canada www.SIM-ONE.ca 

James Leung (@drjscleung), from Mc Master, Ontario Canada 

Christine Park (@cpark_stories) from Chicago 

• The Whats app group https://chat.whatsapp.com/LVy0T1dWvan9enqMDwElRN 

Please be in touch if you’d like to tell your COVID simulation stories