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Accreditation of Simulation Fellowships and Training Programs: More Checkboxes or Elevating the Field?
Rami A Ahmed1, Ambrose H Wong, Andrew N Musits
1From the Division of Simulation (R.A.A.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Yale Center for Medical Simulation (A.H.W.), New Haven, CT; Lifespan Medical Simulation Center (A.N.M.), Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Emergency Medicine (A.C.), Maimonides Medical Center, New York City; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (M.C.), Northwell EMSL Simulation Fellowship, Northwell Health Patient Safety Institute, Hempstead, NY; VHA SimLEARN (N.L.W.), Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Michigan State University Learning and Assessment Center (M.K.S.), East Lansing, MI; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, NYC H+H Simulation Center; Department of Emergency Medicine (M.M.), Harlem Hospital Center, Health +Hospitals, Columbia University, New York City, NY; and Institute for Medical Simulation (D.S.), Center for Medical Simulation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Accreditation for healthcare simulation fellowships is debated. Supporters see it as essential for standardizing education and improving quality, while opponents cite concerns about burden and premature implementation.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Simulation Education
- Medical Training Program Standards
- Professional Accreditation
Background:
- The field of healthcare simulation is maturing, leading to increased availability of formal accreditation for fellowships and training programs.
- Accreditation is proposed as a method to standardize education for specialists in healthcare simulation.
- However, some experts hold opposing views on the value of such accreditation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the proceedings of a debate concerning the value of healthcare simulation fellowship program accreditation.
- To compare and contrast contemporary perspectives on the accreditation of simulation fellowships.
- To provide recommendations for stakeholders involved in simulation fellowship accreditation.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of a debate held at the 20th International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare.
- Analysis of pro and con arguments regarding simulation fellowship accreditation.
- Synthesis of contemporary perspectives on the topic.
Main Results:
- Proponents argue accreditation enhances training quality, provides external validation, and improves return on investment.
- Opponents view accreditation as burdensome, misaligned with fellow needs, and potentially confusing for administrators.
- Concerns exist regarding the premature implementation of standards without sufficient rigor or consensus.
Conclusions:
- Accreditation presents a dichotomy of perceived benefits and drawbacks within the healthcare simulation community.
- Recommendations are provided for learners, administrators, sponsors, and accrediting bodies.
- The debate highlights the need for careful consideration of accreditation's role in the evolving field of healthcare simulation.
