“Building the plane as you fly”: Simulation during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020)

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the Canadian emergency departments (EDs) in unparalleled ways. As part of the frontline response, EDs have had to adapt to the unique clinical difficulties associated with the constant threat of COVID-19, developing protocols and pathways in the setting of limited and evolving information. In addition to the disruption of routine clinical care practices, an underlying perception of danger has resulted in a challenging clinical environment in which to make time-sensitive, high-stakes decisions. This has created an urgent need for targeted and adaptive training for all members of the emergency medicine healthcare team.

The following commentary, published here by the Cambridge University Press, reflects the perspective of four emergency medicine simulation educators during the Canadian response to COVID-19.