Simulation training for holistic and systematic health needs assessments of older adults: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: As more people age, healthcare professionals require skills in using tools for interprofessional, holistic health needs assessments to support aging in place. While simulation training is recognized to build professional skills, its application in training interprofessional teams by using tools to holistically assess and plan care for older adults at home remains limited.

AIM: To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions of interprofessional simulation training in assessing the holistic health needs of older adults living at home (i.e., physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, behavioral, and social) and their views on appropriate measures.

METHOD: A qualitative, exploratory study with five simulation training sessions focused on assessing health needs in older adults living at home. The simulation included 11 participants (nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists). The simulation sessions comprised introduction, briefing, scenario with role play, and debriefing, and were conducted in a home-like laboratory. The introduction prepared participants through e-modules. The briefing covered information about the scenario, participant roles, and tools to assess physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, behavioral, and social health needs. Participants chose either an active or an observer role in a scenario involving a health needs assessment in an older adult's home. This was followed by debriefing during which participants shared their experiences. The debriefing transcripts served as the study data and were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Participants reported that the tools to assess health needs provided systematic and holistic insight on the health of a simulated older adult. They perceived that interprofessional collaboration supported both the assessment process and engagement with the older adult. Participants perceived that assessment scores informed decisions about necessary measures and could enhance older adults' awareness of their functional abilities, potentially stimulating health-promoting actions. Participants perceived the simulation training as useful and realistic, and both the active and observer roles gave valuable experiences.

CONCLUSION: Interprofessional simulation training enabled healthcare professionals to practice holistic assessment and identify the health needs of older adult. They perceived that such assessments could inform appropriate measures and promote health. The participants reported the simulation training to be authentic and meaningful.