Healthcare Simulation: A Key to the Future of Medical Education – A Review

Introduction

Simulation is defined as “the imitative representation of the functioning of one system or process by means of the functioning of another”.¹ It is an activity that mimics natural phenomena without the added risk of sustaining expected consequences. The degree to which a simulation resembles reality is termed fidelity.² Modern day simulation is used by a wide spectrum of generalist and specialist occupations for the purpose of training and certification.³ However, simulation finds its historical and utilitarian roots in the fields of military and aviation.³

Military application of simulation has long been observed in the form of war games.⁴ Although the cost of purchasing and maintaining sophisticated simulators in the military has grown, their advantages far outweigh their liability.⁵ Edward Link introduced simulation into aviation with his “Blue box” flight trainer.⁶ Within 50 years, simulators were formally incorporated into civil aviation to be used to certify and license pilots.³ One of many notable contributions to flight simulation is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Cockpit Resource Management principles.³ These have been adopted in healthcare to benefit intensive care, anesthesia and surgical residents today.³

Up until the 20th century, traditional apprenticeship was standard for clinical education.⁷ It is still used as a primary delivery vehicle in some parts of the developing world.⁷ Although simulation has long been established in medicine by means of anatomical models and preserved cadaveric tissue, Bradley defined three movements that paved the way for its modernization: the resuscitation movement, introduction of anesthetic simulators, and medical education reform.⁷ Laerdal’s Resusci-Anne, Gaba’s CASE 1.2, and Good and Gravenstein’s GAS serve as predecessors to the modern human-patient simulator.⁸ Medical simulators have continued to evolve rapidly in the past few decades.⁸

Simulation has been adopted by medical educators throughout most of the developed world.⁹ Although its advantages are comparable between resource contrasted settings, developing countries still struggle to employ it into mainstream use.¹⁰ This stems from misconceptions regarding its availability, range and cost, and ambiguity related to its consistency and validity.¹¹ Because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, patient interaction has been limited for students and residents to prevent spread of the disease.¹² This has created a unique opportunity to help galvanize momentum towards simulation in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs).¹³

The aim of this literature review is to provide relevant and comprehensive information regarding the utility of simulation in medical education and use knowledge theories to determine how to best implement it in under and postgraduate medical education. We undertook a literature search on MEDLINE using MeSH terms: undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical education, review, guidelines and simulation. Only articles in written in English were selected for further review, and preference was given to research published within the last 10 years.

The Spectrum of Healthcare Simulation (HS) in Medical Education

Gaba described 11 dimensions of the application of simulation in medical education.¹⁴ Dimension 8 categorizes simulation technology based on complexity.¹⁴ The five components of that dimension are role playing, standardized patients (SP), part-task trainers, the computer patient, and the electronic patient/virtual reality (VR).¹⁴ SPs are trained individuals who can provide a concise medical history and portray relevant physical findings for their scenario.⁸ They are popularly employed by medical educators throughout the globe because no technology is needed for the set-up.⁸ SPs can also effectively simulate a vast array of medical and ethical scenarios.⁸ Their validity and reliability in clinical skills assessment has led to the incorporation of SPs in examinations for licensure in Canada and the United States.^11,15–17

Part-task trainers comprise a representation of only a component of the human body.⁷ These are frequented by subspecialties that recognize the benefit of deliberate practice to obtain mastery in technical, procedural, or psychomotor skills.⁷ High-fidelity simulators can exhibit multiple clinical scenarios, and they are interactive and reactive.¹⁸ Advanced part-task trainers with haptic feedback (ie, creating an experience of touch by applying force, vibration or movement in response to user operation) are being increasingly accepted in interventional and surgical training specialties such as ophthalmology and orthopedics.¹¹ Table 1 summarises the progress of medical simulators over time.

Table 1 The Progress of Medical Simulators

Initial resistance to the implementation of simulation stemmed from the financial burden of training staff and maintenance of expensive technology.¹⁹ Development of simulation centers is bridging the tricky gap between educator needs and access to equipment.¹¹ Despite the recent contributions to the gamut of simulation fidelity and cost-reduction, issues regarding its consistency and validity are the primary reason for the delay in global application.¹¹ However, evidence for the transition of the medical training enterprise towards simulation has gathered volume in the past 2 decades.²⁰ This is, in part, due to the growing emphasis on patient safety rather than bedside teaching.²⁰

The Imperative to Incorporate HS in Medical Education

Medical education is intensive and extensive.²¹ Medical professionals are expected to be proficient and effective.²¹ With a rapidly changing pattern of healthcare delivery, medical students and residents face an added challenge to keep up to date with the most recent standards of care.^22,23 Calls to reduce the duration of professional training and time constraints throughout the education process have the adverse effect of limiting exposure of students and residents to an adequate quality and quantity of clinical exposure.^24,25

This is where simulation may flourish. It can provide all learners with an acceptable variety and number of clinical scenarios. Furthermore, exposing all participants to the same scenarios and uncommon clinical cases might allow a more standard approach to clinical curricula.² This might also be useful downstream in potentially confronting the inadequacy and lack of preparedness felt by medical students and novice physicians in recent years.^26–31

It is important to correct the perception of simulation as a universally expensive commodity. Low-fidelity simulators like SPs and part-task trainers are readily available, inexpensive, and easily implemented.⁸ This can ease incorporation into continued education and recertification programs without substantial impact on financial resources.²

Most medical care is now delivered by teams, and simulation is integral in improving patient safety by means of Crisis Resource Management and team training techniques.^14,32 Real team training has the advantage over improvised team training because it allows for better observational learning, verbal persuasion, and heightened physiological responses borne out of member familiarity.^33,34 Moreover, testing team simulation in-situ yields far more constructive results than conducting the exercise at a simulation center.³³

It is also important to address the misconception that simulation is meant only to improve psychomotor skills. Studies show that simulation improves participant affective interpersonal communication and yields more empathic and adept professionals entering the workforce.^35–37

The utility of simulation is in allowing participants to revisit clinical scenarios and practice skills individually and collectively as a team until competence is achieved. A new model of medical education is thus required that has patient safety at its core, avoids the flaws of a purely apprenticeship training model, and provides unlimited opportunities to practice and perfect skills in a risk-free environment.

The Challenge for Low- to Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)

HS has already become the gold standard for medical education in a vast majority of the developed world.⁹ The benefits of simulation-based medical education (SBME) are comparable between resource poor and resource abundant settings.¹⁰ However, the need for these benefits is far more pronounced in developing countries due to inadequate access of care.¹⁰ Using SBME to train entry-level providers, educate community workers, and bridge the gaps of understanding between healthcare providers and local populations who mistrust modern medicine may enhance the overall impact of HS.¹⁰ It may also lower the rate of preventable adverse events that are already underreported in LMICs.³⁸

A recent literature review done by Martinerie et al showed that most studies investigating SMBE in LMICs were conducted in collaboration with international organizations.⁹ Indeed, most quality improvement projects launched in LMICs are reliant on external funding.³⁸ Unit cost and operator expertise remain notable areas of concern regarding SBME implementation in resource poor settings.⁹ This is worsened by inadequate cost reporting in SBME research.³⁹ Nevertheless, the availability of modern low-cost simulators could promote self-reliance in LMICs.⁹ This is important as it will prevent unnecessary disruptions in the continuity of SBME due to bureaucratic tribulations.⁴⁰

Simulation may also be conducted online or virtually where the use of the internet or computer programs can help eliminate costs related to purchasing expensive equipment for on-site training.^41–43 A study by Okrainec et al demonstrated effective use of laparoscopic telesimulation in Botswana where resident training took place through Skype^TM.⁴² In another study, Adhikari et al used immersive virtual reality to conduct a sepsis game for pre-registered nurses.⁴³ Virtual reality provides three-dimensional environment that closely resembles real life.⁴³ The experience may be enhanced with haptics that provide real-time force feedback.⁴⁴ They reported a significant improvement in self-confidence and reduction in anxiety faced by the participants.⁴³ In addition to cost reduction, these courses can be taught over several weeks using a more dispersed strategy as opposed to short intensive modules.⁴² However, there are limitations to these initiatives such as availability of technology, a stable internet connection, and digital literacy and confidence of users.^42,43

Another challenge for LMICs is the adaptability of SBME.⁴⁰ SBME is only effective if the simulations mimic realistic and relevant scenarios that account for resource limitations and disease distribution in the target setting.⁴⁰ If the simulation involves rare scenarios or clinical management that is not in common practice, the overall impact of the educational activity is lost.⁴⁰ Additionally, vital learner feedback during the process may be hindered by hierarchy in training structures, social and cultural norms, gender implications or language barriers.⁴⁰ Since each LMIC faces different challenges, dedicated time from experts and educators is required to define clear learning objectives, establish effective delivery of feedback and evaluate the type of SBME modality to use.⁴⁰

LMICs may also benefit from collaboration of local experts, institutions and manufacturers to develop and implement SBME.⁴⁰ A recent study by Gheza et al has shown that overall cost of expensive medical equipment can be effectively controlled using locally sourced materials and readily available devices while yielding comparable outcomes to patented products.⁴⁵ These efforts not only improve accessibility but also help increase market share for the products.⁴⁶

Sound Educational Andragogy

Bioscience, sociocultural, and learning theories have been used to design frameworks that are core to HS education strategies.⁴⁷ Kolb’s learning cycle is the most prominent among these theories and has been commonly used as a conceptual framework for simulation programs involving team training.⁴⁸ Kolb emphasizes that transformation of experience is essential in creation of knowledge.⁴⁹ His theory consists of four parts: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.⁴⁹ Participants undergo concrete experience as they complete the simulation scenario.⁴⁹ This is followed by debriefing where they reflect upon the experience and draw generalizations and conclusions from their observations to form abstract concepts.⁴⁹ These concepts are then actively used to influence actions in repeat simulations.⁴⁹ Active experimentation is an important but neglected step in the simulator learning process in most programs.³³ This is partly due to time and resource constraints.³³

Knowles’ adult learning principles of prior experience and response to problem-centered learning as opposed to content-centered learning, and Dewey’s theory of reflective thought argue that learners exhibit increased internal motivation to reflect on their performance when faced with difficult and relevant scenarios.^49–51 Debriefing in a group of participants where critique is offered under the observation of trained facilitators creates an environment for individuals to reflect on their own conceptual framework (innate beliefs that guide their thinking and actions).³³ According to Schön, this kind of reflection is more beneficial than reflecting-in-action during the simulation or reflecting-on-action after the simulation, which individuals usually do on their own and without peer input.⁵²

The convergence of the behavioral, constructivist, and social cognitive learning theories makes a strong case for HS to be incorporated into medical education curricula in both developed and developing countries.⁵³

COVID-19 and the Case for Simulation

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has negatively impacted the education of undergraduate and postgraduate trainees globally.¹² In response to isolation and preventative requirements issued by governments worldwide, there has been a unanimous shift towards technology-based education. Medical teaching employs a two-pronged approach: learning and practice.⁵⁴ Learning has been effectively delivered using online platforms during the pandemic, however the transition to a virtual setup presents its own problems.⁵⁴ These include time management, lack of infrastructure and resources, poor communication, negative attitudes and student engagement.⁵⁴ The opportunity for students to practice their clinical skills remains an area of concern.^54,55 While the gradual transition to telemedicine and the use of prerecorded clinical encounters have been helpful, they do not provide a viable substitute for physical examinations and direct observation of skills for feedback.⁵⁵ This is particularly pronounced with surgical/procedural training due to rationing of personal protective equipment and limiting of non-essential staff in operating rooms.⁵⁵ With access to patients being limited, elective surgical procedures being cancelled or reduced, and a limited number of students and residents allowed to engage in care to maintain standard operating procedures, it has become evident that simulation can fill a very important niche during this unprecedented time.¹³ It will allow students and residents adequate exposure, time, and opportunity to learn and hone their skills.¹³ This may be the best time for institutions to adopt HS as a medical education strategy and prepare for future contingencies.¹³

The COVID-19 pandemic has also disproportionately affected vulnerable medical students such as those from developing countries and those with financially disadvantaged backgrounds.⁵⁶ Although the use of technology has been effective in these developing circumstances, students in LMICs may not have access to appropriate equipment and a stable internet connection to run them.⁵⁶ It is in part because of these issues that online learning is met with a poor response in the developing world.⁵⁶ This makes it more important to dispel the misconception of simulation as an expensive commodity and promote the use of local manufacturing and low-cost simulation.

Implementation of HS in Medical Education

Incorporation of HS as a teaching strategy in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education curricula requires a stepwise approach.^57,58 The first step is the assembly of human capital.⁵⁹ Simulation, as a teaching method, requires properly trained facilitators.⁵⁹ Improperly executed simulation can lead to unaccomplished objectives, poor to no learning, and disengaged or even psychologically impacted participants.^2,60–63 It is extremely important for medical institutions to recognize this and provide their faculty with adequate training in the operation of healthcare simulators before planning for induction and implementation of simulation as an education strategy. Adherence to best practices during the pre-brief, the simulation itself, and the debrief (including skill sign-off) is essential in the long-term success of a simulation program.⁶⁴

The next step is integration of simulation into the standard curriculum of a teaching program.⁵⁷ This can be done via amalgamation of this modality into an existing curriculum or through development of new curricula.⁵⁷ The process is carried out by a collaboration of the program director, content expert, and simulation expert in four phases: planning, implementation, evaluation, and revision.⁵⁷ Curricular integration has the advantage of using simulators to achieve learning objectives instead of ad hoc use that only adds to the course load, without achieving palpable benefit.⁵⁷

Once part of the curriculum, there should be provisions for deliberate practice.⁵⁷ Coined by Ericsson in 2004, deliberate practice is the repetition of psychomotor or cognitive skills to achieve defined goals in a controlled setting.⁶⁵ It is designed to provide feedback for error correction in subsequent practice until the participant displays competence and advances onto the next skill.⁶⁵ Deliberate practice is a more powerful predictor of superior expert performance than clinical aptitude.⁶⁶ It is also particularly useful in training for rarely performed procedures.⁶⁵ Simulation is versatile in the ability to not only expand on psychomotor skills but also assist in refining trainee confidence and self-sufficiency.^35–37,67

Deliberate practice is crucial in mastery learning.⁵⁷ The objective of mastery learning is to achieve performance on a level higher than basic competence.⁵⁷ Residents take different times to achieve mastery as they have dissimilar strengths and weaknesses.⁵⁷ Each participant must meet a set standard to progress through educational units of increasing difficulty.⁵⁷ Once mastery is achieved for a skill, range of difficulty and clinical variation in simulation training is increased in the case mix.⁵⁷ Both need to be adjusted according to the needs of the training program.⁵⁷

True learning occurs when participants are given time to achieve goals at a pace that is complementary to their learning capability. Desired outcomes can be accomplished by integrating simulation into curricula with the support of trained facilitators.

Conclusion

It is imperative that HS is adopted in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education globally. The evidence for its efficacy in adult learning is overwhelming, yet its use remains variable and opportunistic. Medical education needs to produce proficient and poised doctors for the future. Therefore, students and residents need to be provided with opportunities to practice and perfect their skills before real patient encounters. Future research priorities should focus on sustainability of simulation in LMICs and prioritize adequate and informative cost reporting. Foreign funds invested in limited and short-term simulation initiatives in developing countries should be redirected in collaboration with local experts towards more attainable and long-term projects. Unprecedented times when global healthcare is operating under extreme pressure (eg, during the COVID-19 pandemic) where patient interaction is limited provide unique opportunities to explore these areas. Strategic and integrated use of simulation is the way forward.