6 Guidance for digital simulation in healthcare.

Guidance for implementing digital simulation in healthcare can be found in several comprehensive frameworks and toolkits. Here are some key points from notable sources:

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.

   National Strategic Vision of Sim in Health and Care [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

2. National Framework for Simulation-Based Education (SBE): Developed by Health Education England, this framework 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.

   National framework for simulation based education.pdf

   ASPiH Standards 2023 – ASPiH

   Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice®

   Standards for organisations that deliver simulation.pdf

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.

   Faculty Development Guidance FINAL.pdf

4. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 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".

   Simulated practice learning - The Nursing and Midwifery Council

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.

These 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.

All Wales Simulation-Based Education and Training Strategy

The All Wales Simulation-Based Education and Training Strategy is a comprehensive plan developed to enhance simulation-based education and training (SBET) across the healthcare workforce in Wales. Here are some key points:

1. Collaborative and Coordinated Approach: The strategy emphasises a collaborative and coordinated approach to ensure high-quality, interprofessional, and accessible SBET. This involves engaging various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, educators, and lay representatives.
2. Strategic Aims and Objectives: The strategy outlines several strategic aims, including improving patient and service user safety, enhancing learning experiences, and ensuring cost-effectiveness. It also focuses on promoting quality, faculty development, and the use of digital platforms.
3. Implementation and Evaluation: The strategy includes detailed plans for implementation and evaluation, ensuring that the initiatives are effectively integrated into the healthcare system. This involves continuous professional development, performance reviews, and the use of immersive technologies.
4. Supporting Simulation Delivery: The strategy provides guidance on supporting simulation delivery, including accessibility, interprofessional development, and research. It aims to create a sustainable and high-quality simulation-based education framework.

The All Wales Simulation-Based Education and Training Strategy supports simulation in several key ways:

1. Collaborative Learning: The strategy promotes a collaborative and coordinated approach to simulation-based education and training (SBET), engaging various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, educators, and lay representatives.
2. Quality and Safety: It emphasises improving patient and service user safety, experiences, and outcomes through high-quality SBET. This includes implementing best practices and quality improvement principles.
3. Accessibility and Inclusivity: The strategy ensures that SBET is accessible and inclusive, providing opportunities for interprofessional development and continuous professional development.
4. Digital Platforms and Immersive Technologies: It encourages the use of digital platforms and immersive technologies to enhance learning experiences and make simulation more effective and engaging.
5. Faculty Development: The strategy supports the development of a skilled faculty to deliver high-quality simulation training. This includes providing resources and guidance for faculty development and performance reviews. Including Ongoing Learning: The strategy emphasises the importance of CPD to ensure healthcare professionals continuously update their skills and knowledge. This includes regular training sessions, workshops, and access to the latest simulation technologies and methodologies.
6. Interprofessional (IP) Development: The strategy promotes interprofessional development by encouraging collaborative training sessions where healthcare professionals from different disciplines can learn and practice together. This helps to improve teamwork and communication skills, which are crucial for patient care.
7. Shared Learning Experiences: It supports shared learning experiences through simulation scenarios that involve multiple healthcare roles, fostering a better understanding of each other’s responsibilities and enhancing overall care coordination.
8. Research and Evidence-Based Practice: It promotes research and evidence-based practice to continuously improve SBET and ensure it meets the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce.

These elements collectively ensure that simulation is effectively integrated into healthcare education and training in Wales, ultimately benefiting both healthcare professionals and patients.