Influence of presence in an inter-professional simulation training of the emergency caesarean section: a cross-sectional questionnaire study

PURPOSE: Emergency training using simulation is a method to increase patient safety in the delivery room. The effect of individual training concepts is critically discussed and requires evaluation. A possible influence factor of success can be the perceived reality of the participants. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence in a simulated emergency caesarean section improves subjective effect of the training and evaluation. METHODS: In this observation study, professionals took part in simulated emergency caesarean sections to improve workflow and non-technical skills. Presence was measured by means of a validated questionnaire, effects and evaluation by means of a newly created questionnaire directly after the training. Primary outcome was a correlation between presence and assumed effect of training and evaluation. RESULTS: 106 participants (70% of course participants) answered the questionnaires. Reliability of the presence scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha 0.72). The presence correlated significantly with all evaluated items of non-technical skills and evaluation of the course. The factor “mutual support” showed a high effect size (0.639), the overall evaluation of the course (0.395) and the willingness to participate again (0.350) a medium effect. There were no differences between the professional groups. CONCLUSION: The presence correlates with the assumed training objectives and evaluation of the course. If training is not successful, it is one factor that needs to be improved.