A Simulation-Based Teaching Strategy to Achieve Competence in Learners

Abstract

Background: Simulation-based education has become the mainstay of clinical education in health sciences and medical education. A simulation-based education is a result of work hour restriction placed on graduate learners, increased number of students requiring clinical experience, decreased number of clinical sites and lack of the availability to perform certain procedures by learners. Research has demonstrated that integration of a simulation-based educational teaching strategy in a curriculum and throughout continued learning achieves competence in learners. Methods: The review of the literature highlighted the following topics: (a) history of medical simulation, (b) fidelity used in simulation training, devices and equipment, (c) learning theories associated with simulation-based education, (d) role of simulation training in medical and health sciences education, e) advantages and disadvantages of simulation training, f) competence in simulation-based education, g) debriefing/reflection in simulation. Results: An extensive review of the literature supports the use of a simulation-based teaching strategy in health sciences and medical education. Learning theories associated with simulation-based education allow educators to provide teaching strategies that align with learner's ability to achieve competence in learning clinical and procedural skills required for their profession. Conclusion: A simulation-based education integrated in all stages of learner education that provides deliberate/repetitive practice and feedback achieves competence in learners throughout a life-time of learning. Keywords: Simulation, Simulation-Based Medical Education, fidelity, curriculum, deliberate practice, repetitive practice, debriefing, reflectio