The 2019 WACEM Expert Document on the Framework for Setting up a Simulation Centre

Almost every institution and academic medical center has its own simulation center today. It seems to have become a prerequisite and is incorporated into the guidelines of setting up new centers as well as in the upgrading and enhancement plans of existing institutions. In considering this, it is critical to consider the needs and demands of the healthcare population and staff the center will be serving. Setting up a simulation center is not an endeavor to be undertaken lightly. It entails a sustainable commitment in terms of political will, professional, educational and financial commitments. On the other hand, setting up a simulation center can be the most worthwhile and rewarding experience if the objectives and goals are met and effective learning occurs. The latter is an important element to be considered in the step toward nurturing an effective healthcare practitioner. In this paper, the principle author, who is the Director of the SingHealth Duke NUS Institute of Medical Simulation (SIMS) in Singapore, shares her views and experience of leading a world-class simulation facility. She has been involved in SIMS from its conception and is a strong advocate of medical education and lifelong learning. At the end of this paper, she shares a Checklist which puts together all the important considerations for anyone or any institution what is looking at setting up a simulation facility, a simulation-based training program, or even upgrading and upscaling their current simulation centre.