Virtual simulations are an effective way to help better prepare learners for the workplace. Designed to specifically give nursing, medical laboratory sciences, and paramedicine learners innovative hands-on training experiences, 137 new virtual simulations are now available to educators across Canada. Developed as part of the Virtu-WIL Project, a Colleges and Institutes Canada initiative, the healthcare simulations are currently accessible through Simulation Canada’s website, a key partner on the project. This HealthySimulation.com article shares information about the new virtual simulation experiences, and how they can be used to enhance healthcare education.
The Virtu-WIL project is funded by the Government of Canada and brings together post-secondary institutions, employers, and suppliers to develop, implement, and distribute virtual simulation opportunities for students in identified sectors. The project’s first 137 virtual simulations are indexed and can be searched by author, topic, and learning objectives. All simulations are free for Canadian educators and students to use, and many are available to international educators.
“This is a tremendous achievement for healthcare education in Canada and illustrates the willingness to collaborate and share for the sake of all Canadians. Virtual simulation is an accessible, engaging, impactful educational technique, and this resource collection will make high-quality virtual simulation accessible to educators and students across Canada,” emphasized Timothy Willett, president and CEO of Simulation Canada.
Overall, virtual simulations have become increasingly important, largely stemming from when COVID-19 public health measures reduced access to both clinical placements and in-person healthcare simulation facilities. According to Simulation Canada, in just eight months, 137 new simulations were able to be created by educators from 31 post-secondary institutions. Throughout these medical simulations, an emphasis was placed on creating healthcare simulation scenarios that included marginalized populations such as LGTBQ2S+ and racialized patients.
“These new virtual simulations are exceptional learning tools that make the journey from education to employment flexible, equitable, and accessible to all,” shared Denise Amyot, the CEO and President of CICan. “Students face real-world situations to test their knowledge, develop a range of clinical skills, and build confidence. It’s an example of how colleges and institutes are using technology to create innovative ways for students to gain employment-focused skills.”
Thanks to renewed funding, the project will continue for another two years and expand to include new virtual simulations for sonography learners. This type of medical simulation resource is a way for both learners and educators to gain even greater benefits from the field of healthcare simulation. Through the virtual simulations, learners now have the opportunity to strengthen their skills, enhance their knowledge and awareness, and ultimately help to reduce the potential for medical errors.
Simulation Canada’s 2022 SIM Expo
Following a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, Simulation Canada has announced the return of the SIM Expo. Together, Canada’s passionate, interprofessional healthcare simulation community and world-leading experts have the opportunity to join together and network at this exciting event held on October 17 and October 18 in Toronto, Ontario, at the Delta Hotel (located in the heart of the downtown core).
“Though the past two years have brought unprecedented challenges, they have also spurred change and innovation. We see increased diversity in the types and ways simulation is used, and also more representation within simulations, with goals of inclusivity, equity, and decolonization. At this year’s SIM Expo, we celebrate these innovations, share lessons learned, and discuss how all this learning builds a new future for simulation,” Simulation Canada stated.
Attendees at this year’s healthcare simulation conference can expect to hear from world-class keynote speakers and witness live demonstrations of innovative sim scenarios, curricula, tools, VR, AR, and serious games. They can also expect to view presentations of emerging research findings and best practices and be offered the opportunity to attend practical, engaging workshops. There will also be posters summarizing research, innovations, and their impacts. Further, exhibits from leading simulation vendors and even a few surprises are planned.
In 2019, Simulation Canada shared that the organization was overwhelmed with the excitement, positivity, optimism, and collegiality of Canada’s simulation community in Montreal. The organization is now most eager to return to learn, share, connect and capture what the simulation community has experienced and advanced over the last two years – which has propelled healthcare simulation to the forefront of healthcare education.
More About Colleges and Institutes Canada
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. This association advocates building capacity and driving knowledge to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a member institution, and thanks to the association’s extensive reach around the globe, CICan works to future-proof communities in Canada and abroad.
More About Simulation Canada
Simulation Canada (formerly known as SIM-one and the Canadian Network for Simulation in Healthcare) is the interprofessional, cross-sector network for the advancement of simulation as an educational and quality improvement technique. The organization is not-for-profit and connects the simulation community, facilities, and resources across Canada and beyond. Simulation Canada advocates for and advance simulated learning in health professions for the benefit of patient care and safety.
Simulation Canada’s vision is a world where exceptional patient care and outcomes through healthcare simulation are universal. Therefore, the organization’s mission is to improve healthcare education, patient safety, and quality improvement while connecting disparate healthcare and human service professions, disciplines, and care delivery sectors. This has led Simulation Canada to establish six guiding values: disruption, respect, best practices, community, collaboration, and transparency.
Simulation Canada is an inclusive, interprofessional network with representation from all healthcare professions and disciplines as well as various sectors, including colleges and universities, hospitals, government, healthcare associations, non-governmental organizations, and industry. The organization also includes human services, such as security, firefighting, social work, early childhood education, developmental service work, and more. With a dedicated community of more than 2,000 individuals, Simulation Canada promotes involvement in all levels of healthcare simulation.
