A Summary of Our Projects
Annual Summit
Beginning in early 2020 at the rise of the pandemic, we brought together simulationists who have expertise in distance simulation and simulation experts trying to create the best possible distance simulation to discuss ways forward, including a consensus on taxonomy or terminology. Experts have continued to meet annual with the 4th Annual Summit planned for October 2023. Publications and proceedings reports can be found on the Annual Summit page.
Taxonomy
This group focused on what terminology works for everyone: should we call it remote, distance, tele-, virtual, online, at-home, or synchronous/asynchronous simulation? We did not find one that everyone agreed upon, but did discover that “distance” was the most neutral term.
The SSH Dictionary Addendum on Distance Simulation stemmed from the work of this group. The team has also published the following manuscript:
Scoping Review
This group screened close to 7,000 items in a scoping review to see what everyone is doing in distance simulation. We continue our screening to keep up-to-date.
Survey
Based on the work of the Scoping Review, this group conducted a globally disseminated survey, disseminated by 33 simulation organizations. With other 700 respondents from 20 countries and 44 US States, we were able to get a lay of the land in distance simulation. We found that 82% of respondents reported that they will be continuing distance simulation as part of hybrid offerings.
You can find the publication using this link:
Pictogram
The taxonomy group found that it was difficult to come to consensus on terminology. The scoping review group found that authors and researchers were also using different terminology. We also found in our article screening that the writing describing the methodology was not as powerful as the pictures. The pictogram group goes beyond the limitations of traditional methodology writing to find a new language that could be easily understood through pictograms. This group has conducted a modified Delphi process to identify and define key elements that should be included in visual depictions of simulation design and structure. Planned next steps include publication of research findings and creation of a '“Pictosaurus.”
SSH 2023 Research Summit: Distance, Hybrid, and Umbrella Review
This committee formed under the auspices of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare as one of the many research groups who will be presenting the state of the science in healthcare simulation. Our group has been focusing on Distance Simulation and presented our research agenda and findings, as well as reporting guidelines, at the 2023 SSH Research Summit. This team is actively working to publish findings from an umbrella review comparing in-person, distance, and hybrid simulation methodologies.
Human Factors
The Human Factors group is led by human factors specialist exploring how best to study the human factors in distance simulation. This group identified that there are more human factors efforts that need to be accomplished than there are human factors specialists currently working on distance simulation, resulting in the need for collaborations to advance the science and optimize distance simulation. Planned next steps include developing a human factors framework for distance simulation and adaptation of cognitive task analysis methodology to distance simulation.
Faculty Development
This group came together to create best practice guidelines for faculty development within the distance simulation environment. Phase 1 of guideline development led to the following white paper
The Creation of Healthcare Distance Simulation Educator Development Guidelines (Phase 1)
Recommended citation:
Palaganas JC, Bajwa M, Lababidi H, Morton A, Morris M, Mosher C, Wawersik D, Weaver A, Gross IT, Sindelar A, Ahmed R. (2022). The Creation of Healthcare Distance Simulation Faculty Development Guidelines (Phase I). The Institute for Interprofessional Innovations and the Healthcare Distance Simulation Collaboration.
Following Phase 1, a Delphi study was conducted at the 2022 IMSH preconference. Findings from this study have since been published.
Development of Distance Simulation Educator Guidelines in Healthcare: A Delphi Method Application
Next steps include exploring three primary areas of interest including digital fluency, facilitators and barriers to faculty development, and developing a hybrid role for the distance simulation specialist that combines technology expertise with identifying the best type of instructional strategies.
Psychological Safety
The Psychological Safety group is conducting a study to develop a psychological cognitive framework that encompasses psychological safety in distance simulation. This work will include a modified Delphi approach to further shape future qualitative research in this area.
Assessment and Evaluation
While distance simulation/assessment may sometimes be seen as an alternative when in-person simulation is not feasible, there may be elements of distance simulation that should be viewed from an assessment perspective as, perhaps, better than in person. The Assessment and Evaluation group seeks to conduct in-depth literature reviews to explore how validity evidence and assessment frameworks may need to be adapted for distance simulation and to investigate the learner's experience of distance simulation including usability, cognitive load, accessibility, cost and type of distance simulation modality.
Get Involved
If you are interested in joining us in any of our projects, we’d like to hear from you.