Dive Brief:
- Researchers at the University Of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing, Baylor Scott & White Health and the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a videogame designed to teach doctors and nurses to work together in tense situations.
- The idea is to help doctors and nurses work more collaboratively and avoid conflict to prevent dangerous or even potentially fatal miscommunications.
- Once the game was developed, researchers began studying physicians' and nurses' ability to communicate effectively, inviting them to play the role of doctor or nurse. Participants were then evaluated to see if the game helped their knowledge. Researchers are now evaluating data on the impact of game.
Dive Insight:
Simulations are used in many high-stakes industries, such as aviation, to make sure that the professionals involved are prepared for all contingencies. It makes perfect sense for the healthcare industry to do the same. Any progress a simulation can make in helping doctors and nurses communicate can only be a big step forward. It will be interesting to see what results the researchers find as to what communication problems are most prevalent when they complete their observations.