Training Type and Teamwork in Contrast Reaction Management

High-fidelity simulation can effectively train and test interprofessional teams of radiologists, technologists, and nurses for both contrast reaction management and teamwork skills, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA, sought to assess the performance of interprofessional teams of radiologists, technologists, and nurses trained with high-fidelity hands-on (HO) simulation and computer-based (CB) simulation training for contrast reaction management and teamwork skills.

Eleven teams, each comprising one nurse, one technologist, and one radiology resident were randomized to undergo HO training (six teams) or CB for contrast reaction management and teamwork skills. Participants took written tests before and after training and were further tested using a high-fidelity simulation scenario.

The results showed that both groups scored similarly on all written tests and each showed improvement after training, however during the final scenario test, HO teams tended to receive higher grades than CB teams in some areas but overall scores were lower for teamwork skills than for contrast reaction management skills in both teams.

The researchers concluded that high-fidelity simulation can be used to both train and test interprofessional teams of radiologists, technologists, and nurses for both contrast reaction management and teamwork skills, and is more highly rated as an effective educational tool by participants than similar CB training. However, a single session of either type of training may be inadequate for mastering teamwork skills.