6 Guidance for digital simulation in healthcare

Guidance for implementing digital simulation in healthcare can be found in several comprehensive frameworks and toolkits. This list summarises several of these sources and their approaches:

1. National strategic vision for simulation in health and care: this document outlines a vision for integrating simulation and immersive learning technologies into healthcare education and practice. It emphasises the importance of strategic leadership, collaboration among stakeholders, and the use of technology to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing.
2. National framework for Simulation-Based Education (SBE): this was developed by Health Education England (2018) and provides guiding principles for the development, delivery, and commissioning of simulation-based education. It focuses on quality outcomes, leadership and governance, strategic resource allocation, multi-professional faculty development, and quality assurance.
3. National toolkit for simulation in health and care: This toolkit supports the implementation of simulation-based education by providing practical guidance on faculty development, resource allocation, and quality assurance. It aims to ensure high standards in the development and delivery of simulation training.
4. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2024 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] ) defines simulation in education as: ‘An educational method which uses a variety of modalities to support students in developing their knowledge, behaviours, and skills, with the opportunity for repetition, feedback, evaluation, and reflection to achieve their program outcomes and be confirmed as capable of safe and effective practice’. This definition emphasises the use of diverse simulation techniques to enhance learning, ensuring that students can practice and refine their skills in a controlled environment before applying them in real-world settings.

The following resources collectively offer a robust foundation for integrating digital simulation into healthcare, ensuring that it is used effectively to improve training, patient safety, and overall care quality.

• Enhancing education, clinical practice and staff wellbeing. A national vision for the role of simulation and immersive learning technologies in health and care (HEE, 2020).
• National framework for simulation based education (HEE, 2018).
• ASPiH Standards 2023 – ASPiH (ASPiH, 2023).
• Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (INACSL, 2021).
• Standards for organisations that deliver simulation (ASPiH & HEE, 2022).
• National toolkit to support the use of simulation in health and care (HEE, 2021).