Piloting Simulations: A Systematic Refinement Strategy

Introduction Few approaches articulate a systematic way to address confusing, missing, or underdeveloped simulation design features prior to implementing into coursework. To address this gap, we tested a novel, systematic refinement strategy to improve the design elements of two simulations. Methods Forty eligible participants (Year 3 undergraduate nursing students) evaluated two simulation scenarios (each followed by a debriefing session) through a novel and systematic refinement strategy across five iterations. Each simulation was evaluated using the validated Simulation Design Survey (SDS). Ratings were analyzed using descriptive data. Students also responded to an open-ended question in order to provide qualitative feedback regarding how to improve its features, i.e., scenario design and debriefing components. Written comments by students were analyzed using the principles of qualitative content analysis. Results Descriptive statistics revealed a gradual increase in the mean scores of the SDS over each of the simulation refinement periods. For the first simulation, the SDS mean score reached a high on Day 5 of 4.86 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.14) in contrast to a score of 3.45 (SD = 0.17) on Day 1. For the second simulation, the SDS mean score was 4.75 (SD = 0.16) on Day 5, which represented a mean score increase of 1.01 from the score on Day 1. Conclusions This novel refinement strategy improved the overall design elements of each of the simulations. The potential use of the SDS and open-ended feedback, guided by a refinement approach, merits further investigation.