Leaders' and followers' individual experiences during the early phase of simulation-based team training: an exploratory study.

Teamwork training has emerged as an important tool in patient safety improvement. A simulation-based strategy has been shown to yield more frequent team behaviors and greater efficiency during resuscitation, but benefits beyond traditional didactic approaches have not been convincing. This study used videotaped simulation-based team training scenarios for medical students to explore the individual experiences and behaviors of the leaders and followers during these exercises. Self-efficacy was improved for the whole group after only three scenarios. However, during the scenarios leaders and followers differed in their individual experiences and behaviors. Dr. David Gaba describes the advantages of high-fidelity simulation training in improving communication, teamwork, and procedural safety in an AHRQ WebM&M perspective.