# Development of a digital application to train and debrief situational awareness in interprofessional teams: A simulation-based approach to mitigate patient safety hazards with a virtual room of error

## TL;DR

A digital application was developed to train and debrief interprofessional teams on situational awareness using virtual simulations to improve patient safety.

## Contribution

A web-based application combining simulation-based training and structured debriefing for interprofessional situational awareness.

## Key findings

- The application enables virtual Room of Error scenarios with embedded patient safety hazards and real-time collaboration.
- Structured debriefing is supported through automated tracking and evaluation tools for performance assessment.
- The platform demonstrates feasibility for training and debriefing interprofessional teams in a virtual environment.

## Abstract

This project between DHBW Stuttgart and the simulation center at Klinikum Stuttgart (STUPS) addressed the following question: How can interprofessional teams be virtually trained and debriefed for situational awareness (SA) to mitigate patient safety hazards? The objective was to develop a digital, simulation-based application for both training and debriefing SA in interprofessional teams.

Using Design Science Research (DSR), a software application was iteratively developed based on literature and stakeholder-informed objectives. These guided the development of a prototypical version, which was demonstrated and tested with a small group of interprofessional teams to assess real-world applicability. Participant feedback informed subsequent refinement into the fully developed application.

The resulting web-based application combines simulation-based training and structured debriefing on a single platform for trainers and participants. It offers a virtual implementation of the Room of Error (ROE), enabling team-based SA training in near-real scenarios with embedded patient safety hazards, gamification, and real-time interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Structured debriefing is embedded in the workflow and supported by automated tracking and evaluation tools to help trainers assess performance and lead reflective discussions.

The developed application offers a practical solution for training and debriefing SA in interprofessional teams via a virtual ROE. It contributes to education efforts by combining experiential learning with structured reflection, aligning with global patient safety and medical education priorities. While feasibility has been demonstrated, further research is needed to empirically assess its impact on SA and IPC.