What is simulation?
Simulation is “a technique to replace or amplify real experiences with guided experiences, often immersive in nature, that evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully safe, instructive and interactive fashion” (Gaba, 2007). Simulation can be used for a plethora of purposes including learning, assessment and improving processes within systems. All health boards in Scotland have invested in simulation based learning (SBL) as a key strategic response to achieving safe and effective service provision, and a resilient and sustainable workforce.
For participants - What to expect during an immersive simulation session
Dr Jemma Pringle introduces the use of immersive simulation for training in healthcare. The video outlines the process from preparation to debriefing, emphasising the importance of experiencing real-life situations and encouraging a collaborative learning environment.
For Educators
The simulation-based facilitator is crucial to creating a safe learning environment and to continuously improve standards of provision of simulation-based learning (SBL). On this page you’ll find some tools to help you deliver quality-assured simulation training.
A Faculty development programme based on the CSMEN National Outcomes Framework
Tier 1 – Awareness of simulation educators.
Tier 2 – Becoming an SBL educator.
A one-page questionnaire for use with individual skills sessions where simulation is used.
A scenario template for designing an SBL session while ensuring standards of design are considered in the development of new scenarios.
How to guides Designing, Delivering and Debriefing for an SBL scenario.
Step Up Education and Training Programme – A series of interactive stations for a multi-professional clinical team induction programme covering both generic and specific clinical skills using an agreed lesson template. The developed stations and resources can be used or adapted as needed to create any healthcare induction programme.
Courses
Clinical staff who wish to develop themselves as educators can attend a faculty development course. These courses are designed to equip participants with the tools to design and deliver simulation based education.
Most health boards have their own faculty development course aligned to the national Framework and ASPiH standards (link to stds). In addition, the Scottish Centre for Simulation and Clinical Human Factors (SCSCHF) offer faculty development courses and a faculty development programme. For more information about this please visit their website.
If you interested in delivering simulation based education on the Mobile Skills Unit (MSU) you can attend the MSU Faculty Development Course. You can find more information about the Mobile Skills Unit and upcoming course dates here.
Guidance
If you are a new educator/trainer to developing clinical skills through simulation based education, this guidance my be useful to facilitate a consistent approach amongst educators. It includes common terms and definitions related to simulation-based learning and signposting to existing resources developed by CSMEN, Scottish Centre for Simulation and Clinical Human Factors and other directorates across NES.
Developing Clinical Skills through Simulation-based Education: Introductory guidance for staff within NHS Education for Scotland
Useful Links
Faculty Development - Becoming a Simulation Based Educator
CSMEN National Outcomes Framework
Tier 1 - Awareness of simulation educators
Tier 2 - Becoming a simulation based educator
Quality Assurance self-assessment questionnaire
Step Up Education and Training Programme
MSU Faculty Development Course Descriptor