High fidelity simulation as a research tool

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Research
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Medical simulation has rapidly expanded in the last decade.
• It is increasingly used in clinical education and as a research tool.
• Simulation serves dual roles: evaluating educational impact and assessing clinical performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the terminology, current practices, and research in medical simulation.
• To discuss the application of simulation in assessing devices, individuals, and systems.
• To explore medical simulation within translational research for patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of medical simulation terminology, practices, and research.
• Discussion of simulation's role in performance assessment.
• Exploration of simulation in translational research models.

Main Results:

• Medical simulation encompasses two main research arms: educational impact and performance assessment.
• Simulation is a valuable tool for evaluating clinical practitioners and systems.
• Translational research models using simulation show promise for enhancing patient safety.

Conclusions:

• Medical simulation is a versatile tool with significant implications for clinical education and research.
• Further development of simulation in translational research can drive patient safety improvements.
• Simulation's role in assessing performance is critical for healthcare quality.