A Scoping Review of Pakistani Healthcare Simulation: Insights for Lower-Middle-Income Countries.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare professions education
• Medical simulation
• Health professions education research

Background:

• Healthcare simulation is globally recognized but adoption in Pakistan (a LMIC) is limited.
• Pakistan's challenges (uneven tech access, limited faculty training) are representative of resource-constrained settings.
• Simulation-based learning offers potential for improved healthcare education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore simulation integration in Pakistan's healthcare education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities for simulation adoption.
• To inform similar lower-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Main Methods:

• Scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework.
• Systematic review of 693 publications.
• Inclusion criteria identified 145 relevant studies.

Main Results:

• Diverse simulation modalities used, focusing on skills and decision-making.
• Low-cost simulation solutions demonstrate innovation in resource-constrained settings.
• Gaps identified: urban focus, limited rural representation, insufficient long-term impact evaluation, lack of standardized protocols.

Conclusions:

• Addressing gaps requires strategic collaborations and capacity building.
• Cost-effective, low-cost simulators can enhance adoption.
• Increased funding and research on long-term impacts are crucial for effective implementation and improved global healthcare education.