High Perceived Needs to Train Clinical Skills in Pediatric Cardiology at a University Children’s Hospital

Objectives: Since April 2015, simulation courses to train skills in acute threatening situations are organized at the University Children’s Hospital of Berne (Switzerland). We aimed to explore the perceived needs among physicians and nurses.

Methods: Between September and December 2016, a close-ended survey was administered to all nurses and physicians working at the University Children’s Hospital of Bern. The questionnaire, which was developed in a series of consensus conferences among authors, contained n = 24 questions assessing demographic characteristics, self-estimation of knowledge and skills, safety environment, team culture, and perceived needs for training. In this contribution, we only present the results of this latter set of questions. Participants had to state their desire to train, during simulation training courses, following skills (yes/no): airways management, mask ventilation, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, defibrillation, heart massage, head trauma, meningitis, seizures, severe dehydration, shock; debriefing after as well as team lead, organization, and communication during critical situations.

Results: Out of 952 invitations sent, n = 469 (49%) questionnaires (315 nurses and 154 physicians) were returned; 62% of physicians and 45% of nurses (p < 0.001) wanted to train arrhythmia, 42% of nurses and 58% of physicians (p < 0.001) airways management, 50% of nurses and 58% of physicians (p = ns) shock, 50% of nurses and 54% of physicians (p = ns) cardiac arrest, 42% of nurses and 49% of physicians (p = ns) defibrillation, 35% of nurses and 44% of physicians (p = ns) seizures, 43% of nurses and 34% of physicians (p = ns) mask ventilation, 18% of nurses and 32% of physicians (p < 0.001) meningitis, 21% of nurses and 32% of physicians (p < 0.05) severe dehydration, 33% of nurses and 40% of physicians (p = ns) expressed a need to train debriefing, 37% of nurses and 64% of physicians team lead (p < 0.0001), 61% of nurses and 60% of physicians (p = ns) organization, 67% of nurses and 63% of physicians (p = ns) communication skills during critical situations.

Conclusion: Among different typical acute life-threatening situations, participants (especially physicians) expressed a high need to train skills related to pediatric cardiology and skills related to team work. Simulation training programs should be tailored to the needs perceived in each children’s hospital.