Simulation to educate healthcare providers working within residential age care settings: A scoping review

Background: Simulation is used widely in health education to develop healthcare providers' knowledge and skills. The use of simulation however, as an educational strategy among aged care worker is not well understood.

Objectives: This review sought to describe studies where simulation is used to educate healthcare providers working within aged care settings; describe the method and structure used in simulations in residential aged care; the key learning outcomes for the participants in this setting; and identify any gaps in the current literature to illuminate future research opportunities. 

Design: The review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review methodology and utilises the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. Searches of CINAHL Complete, PubMed and Scopus databases were completed using the search terms “Simulation” AND “training” AND “Aged Care” OR “Elderly” OR “Older People”. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, English, full-text articles published from database inception to July 2018. 

Results: Twenty studies were included in this review. Studies differed in their methodology, sample size and participants and their findings varied significantly. Fourteen studies originated from the United States of America, five from Canada, and one from Taiwan. Studies were published between 1977 and July 2018. Clinical topics used in simulation were aggression and violence; dementia; aging; death and dying; range of motion exercises; person-centred care; sepsis; and dressing residents. Simulation types were role play, simulated patients, and mannequins. Debrief was described in less than a third of studies. Just over half of the studies evaluated participant outcomes.

Discussion/conclusion: This study demonstrated a large paucity of evidence utilising simulation for training within aged care settings. It highlights the need for future research in this area where simulation could be utilised to meet the unique learning needs of nurses working in aged care.