Military medical decision-making during training of a Swedish Navy Command and Control Team: a quantitative study of workload effects

Abstract Introduction : This study compares two simulation environments for training of Swedish naval Command and Control (C²) teams by using indirect measures, including workload, combat readiness, and situation awareness (SA). Simulation-based training (SBT) provides a secure avenue to practise relevant scenarios. Fidelity, denoting the degree of realism in the simulation, and workload, characterized as the equilibrium between demands and assigned tasks, are crucial factors examined in this study of low- and high-fidelity naval simulations. Materials and methods An experimental design with repeated measures was used with three consecutive escalating parts. The subjective, multidimensional assessment tool, NASA-TLX, was used to rate perceived workload. Results One dependent measure yielded significant results; the main effects on combat readiness of the ship were significant. Variations were noted between the initial and subsequent parts of the scenario, as well as between the two simulation environments. No other significant differences were identified for any of the dependent measures. Part three of the scenario was omitted due to missing data. Notably, the simulated internal battle training for onboard C² teams in a low-fidelity setting was found to induce a level of stress comparable with that experienced in a high-fidelity setting. Conclusion Low-fidelity SBT can be used for cost-effective training of Swedish naval C² teams on board. The practical implications arising from this research indicate that the utilization of a low-fidelity simulation setting can effectively support the training of other teams, such as those in medical training.