Simulation Training of Endoscopy Staff to Improve Patient Experience in Colonoscopy

Simulation Based Team Training of Endoscopy Staff May Improve Patients' Perception of Colonoscopy

Some patients experience a degree of pain and discomfort during endoscopic examination of the large bowel. Sedatives and analgesics may be administered in low doses. Excessive dosage or intense pain may lead to hypotension and impaired level of consciousness. The purpose of the present study was to determine if simulation training of endoscopy staff in preventing pain and handling acute complications through effective teamwork could improve the quality of colonoscopy from the patients' perspective.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Colorectal Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: simulation training

Detailed Description

The study was carried out in a surgical department, where colonoscopies were performed on an out-patient basis under minimal sedation. The intervention consisted of a simulation based course for endoscopy staff. All endoscopy nurses and doctors participated (n=43). The course consisted of three short lectures followed by simulation training. The lectures dealt with technical aspects of colonoscopy, usage of medication and management of unexpected emergency events during the procedure, and finally with interprofessional teamwork and team communication. The lectures were followed by in situ simulation in an endoscopy room. For 2 months before and after the course a questionnaire based survey was carried out. The respondents were consecutive patients who had undergone colonoscopy under minimal sedation or no sedation (according to their own preference ). The questionnaire was filled out when the patient was fully recovered after sedation and ready to go home. The relevant nursing staff and doctor for the procedure also filled out their part of the questionnaire. Patients were invited to participate and gave written consent after oral and written information according to the Helsinki declaration .

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 539

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Aalborg, Denmark, 9000
    • NordSim, Aalborg University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients for colonoscopy under minimal sedation

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients for colonoscopy under minimal sedation who are able to understand imformation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to understand information

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
patient perception of colonoscopy	comparison of patient satisfaction aspects of colonoscopy before and after a simulation, course for staff. The patients fill out a questionnaire: Pain score on a visual analogue scale, Wiilingness to return for a repeat colonoscopy if necessary on a visual analogue scale, assessmment of doctor's and nurse's behaviour on a scale from 1 - 10 regarding empathy, quality of information. Staff answer a questionnaire where they assess the quality of teamwork on a scale from 1-10. They also assess the patients perceived pain on a visual analogue scale.	3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Staff perception of teamwork	comparison of staff's perception of quality of teamwork before and after a simulation course	3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aalborg University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Karen L Larsen, m.d., Medical Doctor and head of department at Aalborg University Hospital

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• abstract no 9HH4 (21130)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: October 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): April 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): April 29, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 5, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 1, 2018
• Last Verified: February 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: colonoscopy; patient satisfaction; patient safety; minimal sedation; teamwork; simulation training; team training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2008-58-0028