BREAKING NEWS, May 24th 2024

Global consensus statement on simulation-based practice in healthcare

https://journals.lww.com/simulationinhealthcare/fulltext/9900/global_consensus_statement_on_simulation_based.123.aspx

The international simulation community positions itself with a statement on the importance of simulation-based learning in healthcare. The statement aims to achieve a consensus on the key priorities for the widespread adoption of exemplary simulation practices that positively impact global healthcare.

As part of an international collaboration, an iterative consultation process was conducted with 50 societies operating in 67 countries across six continents. This collaboration, sponsored by the Society for Simulation in Europe (SESAM) and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), aims to formulate a global perspective on the current scope of simulation-based practice and to achieve consensus on future guidelines. It emphasizes the critical role of simulation in enhancing healthcare practices and education, as well as its far-reaching impacts.

We at HejSim support the call to action for recognizing the benefits of simulation in education and practice. 

We have summarized the key facts from the statement below.

Simulation plays a crucial role in addressing common challenges in healthcare. It improves healthcare processes and systems and significantly contributes to the development of a safety culture within organizations. It has proven to be cost-effective and successful in enhancing team performance, strengthening workforce resilience, and improving patient outcomes.

The value of healthcare simulation is immense and encompasses a wide range of tools and practices. Simulation promotes the development of communication skills, situational awareness, decision-making, teamwork, and leadership. Simulation-based learning is continuously evolving and adapting to the needs of healthcare.

However, various professions still learn in isolated silos, with insufficient opportunities for interprofessional education. These disparities lead to uneven development of competencies across all career stages. Additional challenges include a lack of standardization in simulation training programs and inadequate quality assurance of practices, particularly concerning assessment and faculty development.

The consequences of insufficient funding and resource allocation affect all healthcare systems and cultures. Ultimately, these challenges negatively impact staff, patients, and society as a whole.

A fundamental prerequisite is the promotion of equal access to high-quality healthcare, including dental, mental, and social care. Simulation complements the development and refinement of skills essential to ensuring the excellent healthcare that every individual deserves. Therefore, the global availability of healthcare simulations is an ethical imperative. This includes the commitment to and adherence to universal guidelines, such as the standards of the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE), and the Code of Ethics for Healthcare Simulation (SSH).

It is crucial to promote a shared safety culture in simulation-based learning. This ensures the psychological and physical safety of all participants and eliminates the "blame and shame" feedback from the learning and operational culture. Learners should be supported in the process of experiential learning with integrity and transparency, and in accordance with best practices.

The global consensus process has generated several key themes for recommendations.

First and foremost, it is necessary to advocate for the benefits that simulation brings. It is essential to promote its adoption and integration into daily learning and practice across the spectrum of healthcare. Political, strategic, and financial support at institutional and governmental levels is crucial. Ensuring the sustainability of simulation facilities, programs, and workforce requires concerted efforts and commitment.

Key strategies for effective use of simulation-based learning from the perspective of experts include:

1. The development and use of evidence-based tools to ensure the quality of healthcare practice.
2. Investments in the development of educators to enhance their expertise in simulation practice.
3. Evaluating simulation activities to maintain quality standards.
4. Promoting research and science to advance as a community of practice.

The international simulation community recommends, among other measures, the following actions in their statement:

1. Providing sustainable resources for simulation.
2. Mandatory use of simulations in initial, continuing, and advanced training.
3. Supplementing and/or replacing clinical experiences with high-quality simulation experiences.
4. Promoting simulation as a vital and necessary learning tool in all phases and levels of healthcare careers.
5. Provision of necessary resources for healthcare simulation, including personnel, equipment, and space.
6. Utilization of simulations to create interprofessional education and training opportunities.
7. Promotion and adherence to best practice standards.
8. Promoting the qualification of educators in simulation-based learning.

For the practice community in simulation-based learning in healthcare professions, this entails:

1. Simulation must be promoted as a vital learning tool.
2. Best practice standards must be consistently implemented.
3. Simulations must be conducted with the highest standards of personal integrity and ethical conduct.
4. The willingness for lifelong learning is essential for implementing high-quality simulations.