Is Research in Simulation as Accessible as Traditional Clinical Research? A Review of the 'Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare' Conference.

Background Meta-analysis of simulation teaching has shown to be an effective teaching methodology. The Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPIH) annual international, multidisciplinary conference is recognised as the leading UK meeting for simulation-based education. We hypothesise that simulation-based research presented at this conference is currently less accessible than more traditional clinical research presentations. Method We reviewed the abstracts of all research presented at the 5th ASPIH Conference, 2014 and then utilised the Bhandari methodology to assess whether an abstract had subsequently been published in a peer review journal. Our secondary aim was to assess for recurring themes that may predict publication. Results Twenty-seven of 197 (14%) abstracts presented at the 2014 meeting were subsequently published. The mean lead time to publication from the conference was 23 (2 - 61) months. Two positive predictive factors for publication were oral presentations (vs poster), and a Kirkpatrick level above 1. Conclusion The publication rate for abstracts from respected clinical conferences is 30%, but the publication rate for ASPIH abstracts is significantly below this. The potential reasons for this may include a lack of simulation specific journals. Authors should aim to publish simulation-based research in peer reviewed publications to help progress the role and the value of simulation in medical education.