Simulation-based training for increasing health service board members’ effectiveness: a cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: There is a paucity of research on how to improve the functioning of health service boards, despite their importance in influencing patient care. We examined the impact of simulation-based training on health service board members’ perceptions of their skills in communicating during board meetings and of board meeting processes. DESIGN: Prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Health service boards in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve boards were randomised, and pre- and post-intervention data were collected and analysed from 57 members of these boards. INTERVENTIONS: Boards were randomly allocated to either a treatment condition in which they received a 2-hour simulation-based training session or to a wait list control condition. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome variables were board members’ perceptions regarding: (1) their skill and confidence in communicating during board meetings and (2) processes at their board meetings. Measures were collected in the intervention group before and 3 months post-training and compared with a wait list control group. RESULTS: Skills and confidence in communicating during board meetings was higher after training (control marginal mean=5.11, intervention marginal mean=5.42, mean difference=0.31, 90% CI (−0.03 to 0.66), one-sided p=0.068, d=0.40). Board meeting processes were also improved after training (control marginal mean=4.97, intervention marginal mean=5.37, mean difference=0.40, 90% CI (0.14 to 0.65), one-sided p=0.005, d=0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation-based training appeared to improve board members’ skills and confidence, and perceptions of board meeting processes. A larger scale trial is needed to examine possible impacts on patient outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework: http://osf.io/jaxt6/; Pre-results.