SIMULATION LAB: "A CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL ESSENTIAL".

Simulation-based medical education (SBME) and simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) has become well-established in undergraduate and graduate medical, nursing and allied healthcare training programs. Although still in its relative infancy, the use of hi-fidelity simulation to train students in a variety of health-related professions is becoming a foundational cornerstone in program curriculum in the United States and, increasingly, in the international circle. The entire investment return resulting from the inclusion of simulation training labs in healthcare programs has just begun to be realized.

LEARNING BY SIMULATION.

The future appears bright for the use of simulation in medical education. Medical, nursing, and allied healthcare students trained through simulation have opportunities to practice hands on techniques, teamwork, and communication through trial and error in a safe environment before working with live patients. The cost of high-fidelity simulation will continue to make its use prohibitive and challenging for some programs though the use of low-fidelity simulation, standardized patients, and role-playing continues to have measureable qualitative value.