Telesimulation in healthcare education: A scoping review

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive overview on the utilization and effectiveness of telesimulation in healthcare education.

Design: A scoping review.

Data sources: A search of five databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE and ProQuest was conducted between 2000 and 2022.

Review methods: Arksey and O' Malley's scoping review framework was utilised. Data were narratively synthesised.

Results: 29 articles were included. More than half of the publications on telesimulation were borne out of need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovation reports were the most prevalent publications followed by descriptive studies. Telesimulation was applied for the delivery of diverse learning content including patient care management, procedural skills and team training. A variety of videoconferencing software and simulation modalities have been used for telesimulation. Telesimulation was generally well-received, despite its technical challenges. Learning effectiveness of telesimulation was evident in quasi-experimental studies.

Conclusion: Telesimulation has been gaining acceptance as a distance-based simulation education modality. It will continue to evolve and potentially blend with in-person simulation. More rigorous research is warranted to evaluate learning outcomes and establish best practices in telesimulation.

Keywords: Distance learning; Healthcare education; Remote simulation; Simulation training; Telesimulation.