A road map to planning a pediatric simulation session

Abstract

Medical education has increasingly focused on patient safety in the last few decades. Awareness of and emphasis on adult learning principles have made simulation training a novel method. Creating a realistic case scenario experience is very important for the active engagement ofthe participant to facilitate reflection during debriefing. Designing a simulation session in order to recreate a realistic clinical experience requires rigorous research and meticulous planning. Poor preparation may cause the whole experience of simulation to be counter-productive. These insights are simplified into a step by step approach in this article where the importance of a thorough Needs-Assessment, clear aims, SMART learning Objectives and a well-designed scenario is elucidated thus demystifying the intricate process of planning a simulation session.

Keywords

• simulation
• needs-assessment
• learning objectives
• planning.