Authors: Kelly L. Corbett, Michelle Tyler, Frances Lim-Liberty, Juhi Rattan, Carol-Lynn O'Dea
By: Miranda Powell, AS, CHSE, University of South Alabama
The Study at a Glance
The article Responding to Families Who Express Biases: An Adaptable Standardized Participant Communication Simulation to Train Upstander Pediatric Providers focuses on preparing healthcare learners to respond to discriminatory or biased comments from patients’ families. The study introduces a simulation-based training that uses standardized participants (SPs) to portray family members expressing bias in pediatric care settings.
The goal of the simulation is to help learners develop “upstander” skills, meaning they are able to appropriately address bias while maintaining professionalism and patient-centered care. The training is designed to be adaptable across different settings and learner levels, making it a flexible tool in healthcare education.
Key Findings
One of the main findings is that simulation provides a safe and effective environment for learners to practice responding to bias. These are conversations that can be uncomfortable and difficult to navigate in real clinical settings, so having the opportunity to practice them beforehand is critical.
The study also found that structured scenarios with SPs allow learners to develop both communication strategies and confidence. Learners are able to practice addressing discriminatory remarks in real time, receive feedback, and reflect on their responses. This helps bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it in practice.
Another key takeaway is the importance of adaptability. The simulation can be modified based on the learner’s experience level or the specific type of bias being addressed. This makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of healthcare training programs.
Implications on Healthcare Education
This study highlights a growing need in healthcare education to directly address bias and discrimination within clinical environments. Training providers to be upstanders is essential for promoting inclusive, equitable care and creating a safe environment for both patients and healthcare teams.
For simulation programs, this means expanding beyond traditional clinical scenarios to include more complex social and interpersonal challenges. SPs play a critical role in this by realistically portraying situations that learners may encounter in practice.
It also emphasizes the importance of intentional training design. Programs should not assume that learners will naturally know how to respond to bias. Instead, these skills must be taught, practiced, and reinforced through structured experiences like simulation.
Overall, the article supports the idea that simulation-based education can be a powerful tool for preparing healthcare providers to navigate difficult conversations, advocate for inclusivity, and deliver patient-centered care in diverse clinical settings.
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