1 What is digital simulation?

Healthcare digital simulation uses advanced technologies to create realistic scenarios for training, evaluation, and improving healthcare practices. Here are some key applications:

1. Healthcare professional training: simulation-based training allows healthcare professionals to practice procedures and decision-making in a risk-free environment. This includes using mannequins, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to simulate real-life clinical situations such as surgeries, emergency responses, and routine healthcare procedures.
2. Patient care improvement: simulations can be used to model patient care processes and identify potential improvements. Simulations can be developed from incident reporting to increase awareness and understanding of how to manage situations accordingly.
3. Regulatory frameworks: simulation is also used to evaluate digital health technologies from a regulatory perspective. For example, the Simulation for Regulation of SaMD (SIROS) framework [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] helps assess clinical simulation methods to ensure they meet regulatory standards, while the full ASPiH Standards can be viewed here.

These applications highlight how digital simulation is transforming healthcare by enhancing education, improving patient care, and supporting the evaluation of innovative technologies.

While simulation and digital simulation is transforming healthcare education, the simulated learning experience provides a ‘what’ aspect to the learning experience. However, a further process such as debriefing can provide additional learning opportunities to explore wider and deeper learning in respect of ‘why’ and ‘how’ learning from a virtual experience can translate to tangible improvements in healthcare practice.