Simulation skill labs to support informal caregivers who care for patients requiring mechanical ventilation at home

Abstract

Introduction: Informal caregivers are often overwhelmed by the burden of dealing with patients with complex disorders, such as those requiring mechanical ventilation. Simulation skill labs (Laschinger, S. et al. Int J Evid Based Healthc 2008; 6:278-302) help caregivers to manage patients requiring mechanical ventilation at home.

Aims and objectives: Increase informal caregivers’ ability to manage patients requiring mechanical ventilation at home.

Methods: After analyzing the skills gaps, we identified the topics for the simulation skill sessions. At the end, participants completed a questionnaire on their experience. Section one of the questionnaire focused on the importance of the topics; section two focused on the quality of training methods and trainers, who were physicians and nurses. Section three involved the assessment of their decision to take part in simulation sessions. A six-point Likert scale was used to measure satisfaction.

Results: The respondents were 99. High scores were obtained for the quality of the education, underlining appropriateness of teaching, materials, and technology. Also teaching effectiveness scored positively, confirming the appropriateness of the methodology used. High scores related to their decision to take part in this course confirmed that educational expectations had been met.

Conclusions: Informal caregivers were very satisfied with the simulated skill labs, and wanted to repeat them in the future. This suggests that simulation lab sessions should be provided to all informal caregivers on a routine basis.