WISER is excited to host the return of in-person iSIM training opportunities. Improving Simulation Instructional Methods, better known as iSIM, is a two-day, internationally renowned program created in a collaborative effort between WISER and the Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education. iSIM has run well over 1,000 times worldwide, including training hosted in Europe, Asia, Australia and across the United States. The iSIM program is intended for healthcare professionals and educators who are novices to simulation and who are interested in gaining the core foundations and wanting to demonstrate their commitment to education-based simulation.
This intensive, interactive workshop employs a scaffolded learning approach, with iSIM faculty facilitating active discussions about essential simulation topics. Additionally, there are plenty of hands-on activities for learners to apply and test the fundamental concepts being introduced and examined. Small group work will take participants through the process of simulation and allow them to experience simulation as instructors, learners and participants.
Participants will design and run a scenario each day using best practices in scenario design and implementation. At the end of each day, participants will facilitate and debrief their scenarios. This will be followed by a meta-debriefing led by iSIM faculty to discuss essential elements of the scenario design, facilitation and debriefing. The two-day iSIM training is guided by the following objectives:
- Review and discuss methods of simulation, simulation technologies and simulation environments
- Identify and incorporate evidence-based features that lead to effective simulation-based learning
- Review basic design and development elements for constructing a simulation scenario activity
- Identify simulation environment design requirements elements as they relate to required fidelity and equipment for simulation activities
- Identify the elements necessary to use simulation for assessment and debriefing
- Review debriefing methods for team training simulation activities
- Implement fundamental strategies for debriefing healthcare teams
Each day the focus shifts to cover different aspects of the healthcare simulation scenario and assessment tool design. Concepts covering objective-driven scenario design will explore challenging aspects of best practices in simulation scenario design and curricular integration. Hot topics such as choosing the proper simulation modalities, designing the appropriate amount of fidelity, decisions of facilitation as well as building and debriefing team and interprofessional educational scenarios round out an excellent experience.
Through this iterative, learn-by-doing immersive approach, iSIM participants will experience improvement and build upon essential practical skills that they can apply in both simulation education teaching and clinical bedside teaching. The two-day iSIM course will be held at WISER in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, two times this year (August 12-13, October 21-22) and three times in 2022 (February 10-11, April 21-22 and July 21-22).
Beyond the introductory level iSIM course, there are advanced courses available, including iSIM: Advanced Debriefing and iSIM Advanced Scenario Design. Additionally, iSIM instructors are happy to work with institutions to bring iSIM to their facility (be it in the United States or anywhere around the globe).
More About WISER
The Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (also known as WISER) is a world-class multidisciplinary healthcare simulation training and research facility out of UPMC. An institute of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the WISER Simulation Center’s mission is to conduct research and training programs utilizing clinical simulation-based education to increase patient safety at the UPMC and the school’s affiliates. The UPMC WISER facility is directed by Dr. Paul Phrampus, M.D., who is also a professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
In addition to improving patient safety, the facility is dedicated to the advancement of healthcare simulation and education to promote education, mentorship, systems design and research to enhance the high-quality delivery of healt care. To achieve this outcome, WISER works to enhance patient safety through state-of-the art educational and assessment methodologies and techniques. The facility also creates innovative education programs for healthcare providers ranging from students to practicing professionals.
Another WISER objective is to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery through the incorporation of modern educational and assessment methods through our integration with the UPMC Health System. One way the facility works to achieve this is to research the use of healthcare simulation and other instructional and assessment methods by providing infrastructure and serving as a collaborative partner. Together, these goals help WISER contribute to the development, education and mentorship of future generations of healthcare simulation educators and researchers interested in medical simulation programs.
