Mastery Learning in Action: Strengthening Crisis Resource Management Through Simulation
Overview
Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to strengthen teamwork, communication, and leadership during perioperative crisis. Using the principles of Crisis Resource Management (CRM) and Simulation-Based Mastery Learning, participants will experience crisis simulations in a supportive learning environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute, take risks, and learn from experience. Attendees will rotate between active simulation roles and active observation, applying deliberate practice to improve performance with each round. Interactive debriefings and short didactic discussions will highlight the use of cognitive aids, deliberate practice, effective feedback, and strategies for running crisis management simulations with teams back home. This session is designed to be high-energy, collaborative, and fun. Participants will leave with practical tools and confidence to design and implement CRM simulations within their own programs enhancing preparedness, teamwork, and patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
• Demonstrate teamwork and communication strategies using CRM principles.
• Utilize cognitive aids effectively during a crisis.
• Design a plan to implement crisis simulations at their home institutions.
Workshop Content
• Crisis Simulation Scenarios
• Crisis Resource Management Framework
• Use of Cognitive Aids in Emergencies
• Structured Debriefing and Deliberate Practice
• Teaching CRM Principles to Teams
• Time for Questions, Reflection, and Shared Learning
Why This Workshop Matters
Unexpected crises in the perioperative setting demand rapid, coordinated, and confident responses. This workshop gives participants firsthand experience applying Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles designed to promote skill transfer from simulation to clinical practice. Attendees will gain the knowledge and tools to develop crisis simulations that enhance team performance and patient safety. By fostering a respectful and engaging learning environment, the session promotes confidence, collaboration, and continuous improvement in crisis management education.
Agenda
| Time | Activity | Notes |
| 0:00–0:05 | Welcome + Psychological Safety | Establish expectations, emphasize supportive learning, and introduce facilitators. |
| 0:05–0:20 | Needs Assessment | Quick polls, identify participant backgrounds, and introduce needs assessment as the first step of CRM program development and poll audience for what they want to gain from this activity and previous experiences. Review objectives, etc. |
| 0:20–0:35 | Mini-Didactic #1 – CRM Essentials | Overview of CRM principles, cognitive aids, Sim zones and debriefing |
| 0:35–0:40 | Simulation Orientation + Role Setup | Explain roles, psychological safety, observer checklists, rotation structure (participants randomized into groups as they enter) |
| 0:40–1:40 | Simulation Rotations – 4 Rounds (15 min each, 1 hour total) | 20 participants → 4 groups of 5. Scenarios:• 2 × Difficult Airway crises• 2 × Intraoperative MI → cardiac arrest crises. Observers use CRM/Mastery checklists and help with feedback/debriefing. |
| 1:40–1:55 | Mini-Didactic #2 – Implementing CRM Simulations at Home | Describe what we do at our institution and how to help them plan theirs. |
| 1:55–2:00 | Final Summary + Build CRM Plan for Home Institution | Group reflection, each participant identifies 3 actions they will implement; share resources + QR code to shar materials. |