Simulation-based research in emergency medicine in Canada: Priorities and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Simulation Research
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Simulation is crucial in Canadian healthcare for quality improvement, systems development, and medical education.
• High-quality simulation-based research is essential for the effective application of simulation in healthcare.
• This study addresses the need to understand and guide simulation research within Canadian emergency medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize simulation-based research activity in Canadian emergency medicine (EM).
• To identify perceived facilitators and barriers to EM simulation research.
• To establish national priorities for future EM simulation research.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to simulation-leads in Canadian EM departments.
• Active simulation-based research projects, facilitators, and barriers were documented.
• Research priorities were generated through surveys and consensus-building meetings.

Main Results:

• Twenty simulation-leads participated, representing 14 institutions.
• Sixty-two active simulation-based research projects were identified.
• Eight priority themes for simulation research were established, including competency-based education, inter-professional learning, and assessment.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a comprehensive overview of current EM simulation research in Canada.
• It identifies key facilitators and barriers impacting research endeavors.
• The established research priorities form the foundation for a national simulation research agenda in Canadian EM.