Simulation in Medical Education: Brief history and methodology

Abstract

Background and Aim : Preventable medical errors result in more than 400,000 American citizens each year and are the third cause of death in the United States, followed by cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The roots of such alarming statistics may be found in medical education, and innovative educational approaches are necessary. Simulation based medical education can be a valuable tool for the safe delivery of health care. The purpose of this article is to perform a brief review the history and methodology of simulation, and highlight its unique importance in the medical teaching and learning scenario. Conclusion : Simulation has unique features, since it provides a safe and controlled environment to teach a wide variety of not only technical abilities but also non-technical skills as well, and it is also a reliable educational assessment method. Therefore, providing appropriate simulation for medical training is a major path compliant with best educational standards and ethical principles in the process of medical education. Key-words: simulation; simulation-based medical education; medical education