Work

Simulation of healthcare professional teams in infection prevention and control: A scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major public health concern. Although interprofessional education (IPE) is recognized as a promising strategy, there is limited robust evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing infection rates in healthcare settings. Aim/objective: To identify studies on interprofessional simulation for healthcare teams focused on infection prevention and control (IPC). Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR checklist and was registered on the OSF platform (https://osf.io/bj6uc/). Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus) were searched, yielding 632 citations. After screening and applying exclusion criteria, 11 studies were included. Finding/results: Among the selected studies, four (36.4%) originated from the United States. Five studies (45.5%) employed simulation practices based on evidence or expert consensus. Seven studies (63.6%) involved teams comprising three or more professional categories. All studies addressed infectious diseases requiring rapid response, mainly COVID-19 (55%) and Ebola (45%). Most (81.8%) used patient simulators. The most frequently addressed IPE competencies were teamwork (90.9%), roles and responsibilities (81.8%), and interprofessional communication (72.7%). Discussion: Findings indicate a reliance on expert-driven simulation practices and a concentration on emergency contexts. There is a lack of studies evaluating interprofessional simulation in routine care environments, such as primary health care and long-term care. Additionally, the absence of medium- and long-term outcome assessments limits our understanding of the sustained impact of interprofessional simulation on IPC. Further research is needed to support evidence-based implementation in diverse healthcare settings.

Source: Journal of Infection Prevention

DOI: 10.1177/17571774261456671

Authors: Isabela Passerini, Erica Gomes Pereira, Isabela Galvão Fernandes Alves, Maria Clara Padoveze

Institution: Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900