Measured task load in directed observers versus active participants undergoing high-fidelity simulation education in a critical care setting.

In our sample of senior clinicians, the task load experienced by both active participants and directed observers in high-fidelity simulation education was high for both prehospital and interhospital simulation exercises. The statistically significant differences we report are unlikely to be practically significant. Our results support the use of directed observers when resource limitations do not allow all course attendees to participate in every simulation.