Simulation-based education : international collaboration and resource sharing in response to COVID-19

Abstract

Throughout 2020, medical radiation science education and training was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions on clinical placement opportunities. While academic learning and assessment mostly continued using online learning methods, this was not the case for clinical skills training. Technical, professional, and interpersonal skills development is usually refined and practised via placement blocks in clinical departments. When these clinical placement opportunities stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, training capacity was reduced, and alternative training solutions were sought. A recent international conference was convened to share resources and ideas related to simulation-based education in order to help address clinical training limitations. A range of themes emerged during the conference including use of bespoke online teaching tools, adaptation of existing solutions or use of sophisticated virtual reality software packages. Solutions included use of equine facilities, after-hours clinical equipment, phantoms, and video resources, with several presenters also showcasing virtual Objective Clinical Examinations. Delegate evaluation of the event was overwhelmingly positive included a desire to engage in similar events and engage in future collaboration. Sharing of simulation resources and ideas was adopted enthusiastically and this collaborative approach should continue to provide benefits to educators and learners in the future. Online or virtual simulation activities may well continue to play an important role post-COVID-19; additional work is needed to develop a pedagogical framework for optimal use of simulation and to identify how it can be used most effectively as partial replacement for clinical training time. The international collaborative approach embraced during this conference is likely to be an important aspect of ongoing pedagogical development in simulation based education throughout the pandemic and beyond.