Clinical Simulation Program for the Training of Health Profession Residents in Confidentiality and the Use of Social Networks

In the transition to a professional learning environment, healthcare professionals in their first year of specialized postgraduate clinical training (known as residents in Spain) are suddenly required to handle confidential information with little or no prior training in the safe and appropriate use of digital media with respect to confidentiality issues. The aims of this study were: (1) to explore the usefulness of an advanced clinical simulation program for educating residents from different healthcare disciplines about confidentiality and the dissemination of clinical data or patient images; (2) to explore the use of social networks in healthcare settings; and (3) to explore participants' knowledge and attitudes on current regulations regarding confidentiality, image dissemination, and the use of social networks; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from all 49 first-year residents of different health professions at a Spanish hospital between June and August 2022. High-fidelity clinical simulation sessions designed to address confidentiality and health information dissemination issues in hospital settings, including the use of social networks, were developed and implemented. Data were assessed using a 12-item ad hoc questionnaire on confidentiality and the use of social media in the healthcare setting. Descriptive of general data and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were performed using the SPSS 25.0 software; Results: All the participants reported using the messaging application WhatsApp regularly during their working day. A total of 20.4% of the participants stated that they had taken photos of clinical data (radiographs, analyses, etc.) without permission, with 40.8% claiming that they were unaware of the legal consequences of improper access to clinical records. After the course, the participants reported intending to modify their behavior when sharing patient data without their consent and with respect to how patients are informed; Conclusions: The use of advanced simulation in the training of interprofessional teams of residents is as an effective tool for initiating attitudinal change and increasing knowledge related to patient privacy and confidentiality. Further follow-up studies are needed to see how these attitudes are incorporated into clinical practice.