Effects of simulation-based education on improving leadership skills in medical and nursing students: a systematic review

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted to explore the effectiveness of simulation-based education to improve leadership skills in medical and nursing students. CINAHL and MEDLINE were searched from the first records until 12 November 2019. Free text terms and subject headings related to leadership skills, simulation and undergraduate medical education were searched in abstract and title. All types of original articles were included for intervention as simulation-based education, and outcomes as improvement in confidence, managing the patients, self-efficacy and leadership skills. Seventeen articles were shortlisted after initial screening and six with aims to improve leadership skills were selected for analysis after inspecting the full text. Heterogeneity was found in interventions and data collection methods. Sessions were held in healthcare settings and prior learning was used in only two studies. The lack of comparison or control group in studies limited the review to a narrative synthesis of evidence rather than a stronger quantitative meta-analysis. It was evident even after the limited number of studies that simulation-based leadership training could improve the confidence of students to start their practice with the required skills.

Keywords

• high-fidelity simulation training
• leadership
• simulation
• simulation training
• medical students
• systematic review

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