Recruiting organisation: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES)
Supervisor: Prof. Peter Dieckmann,
Co-supervisor: Prof. Karina Aase, Dr. Birgitte Bruun
Doctoral Candidate: Fatama Faraj
Secondments: University of Stavanger, Norway (2 months); VUmc Amsterdam, The Netherlands (3 months).
Summary: The PhD project is situated within the home care sector and adopts a multidimensional approach to understanding the impact of simulation-based training (SBT). This training is implemented through the course “Professional Introduction for New Employees”, designed by the Health and Care Administration of the Municipality of Copenhagen for newly employed home care assistants, among others. The course aims to enhance caregiving skills, improve the quality of care, and support onboarding to increase workforce retention within the organization. The project aims to: (1) Explore the everyday practices of home care assistants to understand work-as-done and its challenges. (2) Understand the value of SBT from the perspectives of home care assistants and other relevant stakeholders. (3) Generate a method to evaluate the long-term impact of SBT on workforce retention and organizational outcomes.
Background:
The shift from hospital-based care to home care is making caregiving in residential settings increasingly important. In Denmark, over 50% of citizens aged 65 or older live alone, and the healthcare system prioritizes helping them maintain independence, improve quality of life, and stay healthy at home for as long as possible. Achieving this requires continuous advancements in home care services, along with strong support for home care workers’ professional development to ensure they have the necessary skills and competencies to provide high-quality, long-term care.
However, like many European healthcare systems, the Municipality of Copenhagen faces significant challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare workers. These challenges are particularly critical in the home care sector, where workforce shortages could impact care quality and the sustainability of services. Addressing these issues is essential to ensuring that care services effectively meet the needs of the aging population.
One potential solution to these challenges is the use of simulation-based training (SBT), which has been widely adopted in various sectors as an effective educational tool. However, its role in home care remains under-researched. To fill this gap, the Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES) is collaborating with the Health and Care Administration of the Municipality of Copenhagen to evaluate the value of their simulation-based course “Professional Introduction for New Employees”.
Approach:
The research will be conducted through three studies. The first study will explore the daily practical demands and challenges faced by home care assistants from an in-depth, assistant-centered perspective, using ethnographic fieldwork and semi-structured interviews. The second study will broaden the scope by examining the value of simulation-based training (SBT) through interviews with home care assistants and other key stakeholders, alongside an observational analysis of the SBT course implementation. The third study will evaluate the long-term impact of SBT on workforce retention and organizational sustainability by developing a methodology that combines register-based data with survey responses from course participants.
Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES)
CAMES is a leading simulation-based training center offering education and courses for both students and qualified healthcare professionals. It serves as a centralized training unit for medical students, nursing students, doctors, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare personnel in the Capital Region and Zealand Region of Denmark. For the past 25 years, CAMES has provided invaluable simulation training, research, and development to thousands of healthcare professionals, both locally and internationally.
With strong collaboration with clinical settings, CAMES has supported healthcare teams in improving treatment effectiveness and enhancing patient safety. The center also trains instructors, develops specialized courses, and provides advanced training for various healthcare disciplines. Each year, CAMES trains around 25,000 participants through its wide range of courses, including emergency care, leadership training, and specific team-building programs tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals.