Distance simulation in health professions education: Moving beyond adaptation

Simulation is commonly used in health professions education to support the development of the complex set of skills required for safe clinical practice. A range of simulation modalities support different types of skills. These modalities include task or part-task trainers, manikins, virtual patients, simulated patients (actors) and many others too. Additionally, simulated environments enable learners to develop skills in the settings in which they are expected to be able to practice. While all aspects of simulation-based education (SBE) have required adaptation to moving online, specific features of simulation practice are briefing, observation during the simulation and debriefing. Additionally, simulation educators usually attend to the psychological safety of all those involved. This has required additional considerations for the move to distance/remote/tele simulation. This chapter shares examples from the healthcare simulation community to illustrate adjustments for optimising SBE online. The case studies include medical students in high-stakes clinical skills assessments; surgical trainees learning laparoscopic (keyhole) surgical skills via home-based simulator kits with online facilitation; and, final year psychology students supported in embodying professional values and skills. The benefits and challenges of each approach are outlined. Finally, we discuss future practices in distance simulation.