Expanding educational access for rural healthcare professionals through mobile simulation: A scoping review

To identify available evidence on the effective implementation of mobile simulation in rural healthcare contexts.

Healthcare professionals in rural areas face limited access to training due to geographical isolation and scarce resources. Mobile simulation is emerging as a promising approach to improving access to training and enhancing the quality of care.

This is a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

A systematic search was conducted across relevant databases. Studies were screened and extracted by two independent reviewers. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Training needs in rural areas primarily centred on acute care, pediatric and obstetric emergencies and non-technical skills such as leadership and teamwork. Facilitating factors included preliminary site visits, adaptation to local clinical and organizational contexts, partnerships with tertiary care centres, engagement of local educators and champions and repeated simulation activities. Constraining factors included workforce shortages, limited financial and material resources, resistance to change and the absence of structured training programs. Variability in simulation modalities and resource use was noted, with no single optimal approach identified.

An integrated, needs-based approach to mobile simulation is essential in rural settings. Practical and transferable implementation strategies were identified, particularly through local engagement and contextual adaptation. However, evidence linking these strategies to measurable educational or clinical outcomes remains limited. Future research should prioritize outcome evaluation to support sustainable implementation and reduce disparities in access to training.