This article focuses on key aspects of the "nontraditional" surgical subjects of organizational structure and team interaction. First, the deficiencies in team dynamics found within the modern operating room (OR) and their resultant consequences are highlighted. Next, essential human factors concepts related to error generation, organizational culture, high reliability, and team science as appl...

INTRODUCTION Increasingly, pediatric and emergency medicine (EM) residents are pursuing clinical rotations in low-income countries. Optimal pre-departure preparation for such rotations has not yet been established. High-fidelity simulation represents a potentially effective modality for such preparation. This study was designed to assess whether a pre-departure high-fidelity medical simulation ...

M Y grandfather, a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF), was responsible for the training of all civilian mechanics in the USAF from 1948 to 1952. In this position, he received reports of injuries to his mechanics from around the world and knew well how tools were misused. I was reminded of his aphorism as I read the article by Schebesta et al. in this month’s ANESTHESIOLOGY...

BACKGROUND This study assessed the feasibility, self-efficacy and cost of providing a high fidelity medical simulation experience in the difficult environment of an air ambulance helicopter. METHODS Seven of 12 EM residents in their first postgraduate year participated in an EMS flight simulation as the flight physician. The simulation used the Laerdal SimMantrade mark to present a cardiac an...

BACKGROUND High fidelity simulation has been executed to allow the evaluation of technical and non-technical skills of health caregivers. Our objective was to assess technical and non-technical performances of low level hospitals health caregivers who attended a Neonatal Resuscitation course using high fidelity simulation in a standard-setting scenario. METHODS Twenty-three volunteers were as...