Team management training using crisis resource management results in perceived benefits by healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Systems failures and ineffective teamwork can lead to serious errors in practice. Crisis Resource Management (CRM) teaches leadership, effective communication skills, and improved team performance. The impact of CRM taught in a simulation laboratory was evaluated.

METHODS: A mail survey was used to examine perceived benefits and application of CRM principles when encountering practice and everyday life crisis situations. All participants completing the course since its inception who could be located received the survey.

RESULTS: Fifty-three of 149 participants (35%) responded to the survey. Eighty-three percent had managed a crisis since the course and 68% indicated better practice performance during emergencies. Thirty-eight percent applied CRM to personal crisis experiences.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings support that CRM training leads to perceived improvements in performance during critical events.