Abstract
Use of simulation to ensure an organization is ready for significant events, like COVID-19 pandemic, has shifted from a “backburner” training tool to a “first choice” strategy for ensuring individual, team, and system readiness. In this report, we summarize our simulation program’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the associated challenges and lessons learned. We also reflect on anticipated changes within our program as we adapt to a “new normal” following this pandemic. We intend for this report to function as a guide for other simulation programs to consult as this COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, and during future challenges within global healthcare systems. We argue that this pandemic has cemented simulation programs as fundamental for any healthcare organization interested in ensuring its workforce can adapt in times of crisis. With the right team and set of partners, we believe that sustained investments in a simulation program will amplify into immeasurable impacts across a healthcare system.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has stressed our healthcare systems
We offer our lessons learned and insights gained from how the Unity Health Toronto – Simulation Program (UHT-SP) produced an educational, micro-systemic [10], and macro-organizational response across our multi-institutional network
We focused on training professionals on units reassigned to care for COVID-19 positive patients and those high on the redeployment list
Summary
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has stressed our healthcare systems. Societal responses across the globe have pushed organizations and their employees to rely even more on various technologies to prepare for and respond to this crisis [1]. They note, that many recommendations for utilizing simulation (i.e., educational, hands-on focus) require time that most organizations, with their lagging response to the pandemic, do not have. To manage these challenges, the UHT-SP leadership team responded to multiple requests across our organization for simulation-based and technology-enhanced learning using two core principles: (i) functional task alignment (i.e., matching objectives to efficient technological solutions) [11, 12] and (ii) streamlined resource allocation (e.g., reusing and sustaining personal protective equipment (PPE)) [6]. We reflect on anticipated changes within our program as we adapt to a “new normal” following this pandemic
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