Simulation as an Educational Tool in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Choudhury, Tarif A.; Flyer, Jonathan N.; McBride, Mary E.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the use of simulation as an educational tool in the highly specialized pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU). RECENT FINDINGS: Healthcare simulation is used in high acuity medical environments to test healthcare systems. Healthcare simulation can improve team training, patient safety, and improve medical decision-making. Complex physiologies in the PCICU demand effective teamwork to consistently deliver high-quality patient care. Simulation-based PCICU learning objectives depend on a structured cognitive load framework to account for individual learner abilities, team constructs, and healthcare resources. SUMMARY: PCICU simulation programs are strengthened by utilizing traditional education theory, with careful consideration of complex physiologies, interprofessional personnel, and center-specific resources. Virtual platforms should continue to evolve to provide additional, more convenient venues for individual learners and teams. Healthcare systems should frequently intersect with simulation educators to create relevant learning objectives that will contribute to patient safety, improve team performance, and patient outcomes.