Simulation for Patient- and Family-Centered Care

Simulation for patient- and family-centered care recognizes that the patient and family are integral members of the healthcare team and should be encouraged to participate in their healthcare plan. This collaboration enhances respect, dignity, information sharing, and participation among all members of the team (i.e., healthcare providers and home caregivers) who are involved in the simulation. Instructor- and learner-centered objectives shape the scenarios and take into account the learners’ anxiety level and emotional state. Technical, cognitive, and behavioral skills may be taught through realistic scenarios that maintain the fidelity of the home caregiver’s environmental surroundings. The timing, frequency, and duration of the simulation may be influenced by the severity of the illness, urgency of the condition, complexity of the skills being taught, and the participants’ readiness to learn. Expectations of the simulation should be set for the learners during a pre-brief. This will give them an opportunity to better understand the active participation needed as they take part in this safe educational forum where they are encouraged to ask questions during repetitive practice. Debriefing simulation for patient- and family-centered care may include corrective feedback as well as time for reflection and discussion. Co-debriefing with non-healthcare providers with experience in patient- and family-centered care may also be beneficial.