Simulation in Hospice: A Flight Plan for the Future

During this session, a simulation approach to bridging the gap between didactic and patient care to promote quality performance will be investigated. Three basic questions will be addressed during this session: what is simulation, what can simulation bring to hospice and palliative care, and how simulation can improve patient outcomes? Simulation as a tool can be used as an evaluation method to establish baseline knowledge on development and performance of clinical and or communication skills for employees. Simulation strategies can change poor performance behaviors to establish best practices, or can be used to enhance new learning of clinical and communication skills for real world application. This session will examine the ways in which simulation can be applied to a hospice and palliative care learning environment through the development and exploration of a communication skills study. Tool development for Certified Nursing Assistant communication provided enhancement in the evaluation of behavioral changes.  Discussion on the study completed by Trustbridge will show knowledge gained from outcomes, and potential simulation strategies for future development that are applicable to all members of an interdisciplinary hospice and palliative care team.