Twelve tips for efficient procedural simulation

Abstract

Procedural simulation (PS) is increasingly being used worldwide in healthcare for training caregivers in psychomotor competencies. It has been demonstrated to improve learners’ confidence and competence in technical procedures, with consequent positive impacts on patient outcomes and safety. Several frameworks can guide healthcare educators in using PS as an educational tool. However, no theory-informed practical framework exists to guide them in including PS in their training programs. We present 12 practical tips for efficient PS training that translates educational concepts from theory to practice, based on the existing literature. In doing this, we aim to help healthcare educators to adequately incorporate and use PS both for optimal learning and for transfer into professional practice.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank students, patients, and colleagues that shared their PS experiences with us. ER would especially like to thank professors Jean-Luc Pellegrin, Jean-François Viallard, Didier Gruson, Chloé James, Pierre Dubus, and Patrick Dehail, from the University of Bordeaux, who made this work possible through their unconditional support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

ER received funding from University of Bordeaux and University Hospital Centre of Bordeaux for his fellowship at Laval University in the Apprentiss Centre Gilles Chiniara was, until 2013, a paid educational consultant for CAE Healthcare (Montreal, Canada).

Notes on contributors

AL, ML, DS, and GC all teach within Laval University’s graduate health professions education programs and are members of the Education and Continuing Professional Development Office.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Etienne Rivière

Etienne Riviere, MD, PhD, is an internal medicine physician and clinician educator who practices at the University Hospital Centre of Bordeaux in France. He was a student of the master program in health professions education at Laval University and a fellow at Apprentiss Simulation Centre while this manuscript was being written.

Danielle Saucier

Danielle Saucier, MD, CCMF, FCMF, MHPE, is a family physician who practices in a Family Medicine Teaching Health Centre. She is a Professor in the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada, where she is the Program director for graduate health professions education programs.

Alexandre Lafleur

Alexandre Lafleur, MD, FRCPC, MHPE, is an internal medicine physician who practices at the Quebec City University Hospital Centre in Quebec, Canada. He is co-holder of the QMA-CMA-MD Chair of Educational Leadership in Health Sciences Education. He is assistant program director for internal medicine residency, in charge of simulation-based activities.

Miriam Lacasse

Miriam Lacasse, M.D., M.Sc., CCMF, is a family physician who practices at the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine at Laval University, co-holder of the QMA-CMA-MD Chair of Educational Leadership in Health Sciences Education.

Gilles Chiniara

Gilles Chiniara, MD, MHPE, is an anesthesiologist practicing at Quebec City University Hospital Centre. He is an Associate Professor of Anaesthesiology and holds a master of Health Professions Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is currently the Scientific Director of the Apprentiss Simulation Centre at Laval University.