From Simulation to Bedside: The Journey to Provide Equitable Patient Care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Health Equity Studies
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Simulation-based education (SBE) has transformed healthcare training, improving skills and addressing systemic problems.
• There is a recognized gap between identifying healthcare disparities and implementing effective solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of SBE in bridging the gap between recognizing health disparities and taking action.
• To examine how SBE can foster cultural humility, bias confrontation, and upstander skills among healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing immersive simulation scenarios coupled with structured debriefing.
• Creating a "brave space" for critical dialogue on health equity.
• Integrating practical scenarios and community engagement into clinical practice.

Main Results:

• SBE facilitates the development of cultural humility and upstander behaviors.
• This approach addresses hidden curricula and integrates equity into practice.
• Potential challenges include unintentional harm and the need for careful implementation.

Conclusions:

• SBE is a powerful tool for advancing health equity in healthcare.
• Effective SBE requires alignment with organizational goals and interdisciplinary commitment.
• Further research and evaluation are crucial to measure SBE's impact on patient outcomes.