Evaluating the Impact of In-Situ Simulation on Interprofessional Healthcare Team Training

The increasing complexity of healthcare and the need for a coordinated response among different professionals make interprofessional teamwork an essential element for patient safety and quality of care. In this context, clinical simulation has established itself as a fundamental teaching and learning methodology, allowing the training of technical and non-technical skills in controlled and safe environments. Among the different simulation modalities, in situ simulation (ISS) has gained prominence because it occurs in the clinical context itself, involving real teams and resources of the hospital environment. This approach favors the identification of latent threats to safety and the analysis of workflows and communication in high-pressure scenarios. In addition, ISS has demonstrated a positive impact on safety culture and the performance of multidisciplinary teams. Several studies support that simulation based on interprofessional teams promotes mutual understanding of roles, respect between disciplines, and effective coordination during critical situations. The integration of professionals from different areas in realistic scenarios enhances collaborative learning and strengthens communication, leadership, and decision-making skills, central aspects of Non-Technical Skills (NTS). Despite the available evidence, there is still a gap in the literature regarding the direct comparison between simulation in a training center and ISS in the hospital setting, particularly in the surgical center, an environment characterized by professional interdependence and high technical complexity. Thus, this study proposes a randomized trial comparing the impact of ISS and simulation in a training center on the formation of interprofessional teams. The aim is to systematically evaluate the effect of each context on the acquisition and performance of technical and non-technical skills, as well as on professionals' perception of realism, training effectiveness, and patient safety. This study, therefore, aims to contribute to the development of more effective training strategies based on scientific evidence.