Publication
Informing simulation-based research design: The experiences of bereaved parents and actors
Vemuri S, O'Neill J, Hynson J, Gillam L · Palliative Medicine · 2021
Background: Parents are being engaged in simulation development and educational initiatives in paediatric health care as realistic simulations are the most effective. There is increasing interest in the applicability of simulation as a research method. For studies involving simulated clinical encounters related to a child's end of life, involving bereaved parents in design is possible but not described. Bereaved parents are ethically and logistically the most accessible, but there are concerns about the safety of their involvement in such activities. Aim(s): To explore the experiences of bereaved parents and actors when informing simulation-based research design. Method(s): This qualitative study adopts an interpretivist research paradigm. Following a group meeting to design and develop characters to be used in a simulation, five bereaved parents and two actors participated in individual semi-structured telephone interviews, which were audio recorded. Data from the transcripts underwent inductive content analysis. Result(s): Four experiences were explored: (1) the recruitment approach of parents, (2) the facilitation and format of the group meeting, (3) the motivation and impact of participation on the parents, and (4) the motivation and impact of participation on the actors. While the meeting was emotionally challenging for bereaved parents, they were motivated and committed to its success. Parents also identified a therapeutic benefit in sharing their stories. For actors, this exposure to reality, re-confirmed the importance of their work, provided 'gold' for their roles, and elicited emotion that challenged their self-protective mechanisms. Conclusion(s): The involvement of bereaved parents in simulation design is safe and beneficial, for both parents and the actors involved in the simulation. Ongoing involvement of bereaved parents may lead to higher-quality simulated experiences, which hopefully will enhance care provided at a child's end of life.
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