# 4 How does digital simulation help to increase awareness, knowledge and skills in healthcare?

Digital simulation in healthcare significantly increases awareness in several ways (Healthcare Readers, 2025):

1. Realistic scenarios: by creating life-like healthcare scenarios, digital simulations help healthcare professionals understand the complexities of real-world situations. This heightened awareness can lead to better preparedness and response in actual clinical settings.
2. Highlighting systemic issues: simulations can reveal systemic issues within healthcare processes, such as demonstrating bottlenecks in patient flow or communication breakdowns. Identifying these issues helps in developing strategies to address them, thereby improving overall healthcare delivery.
3. Patient education: digital simulations can also be used to educate patients about their conditions and treatments. By visualising healthcare condition using simulated scenarios, patients gain a better understanding of their health, which can lead to more informed decisions and better adherence to treatment plans.
4. Training and competency: for healthcare professionals, simulations provide a platform to practice and refine their skills. This continuous practice increases their awareness of best practices and potential pitfalls, leading to higher competency levels.
5. Interdisciplinary collaboration: simulations often involve multiple healthcare disciplines working together.

By leveraging digital simulations, healthcare systems can enhance the awareness and preparedness of both professionals and patients, leading to improved clinical outcomes and patient safety.

OpenLearn - An introduction to digital simulation in healthcare
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