Virtual Simulation in Postgraduate Healthcare Education and Training: A Scoping Review Protocol
Abstract
Objective: The primary objective of this scoping review is to map and explore Virtual simulation (VS) in postgraduate healthcare education. Secondary objectives are to define the concept of VS, describe its modalities, summarise different fields, identify gaps, examine challenges and barriers, and areas for future research to implement VS in postgraduate healthcare education.
Introduction: VS in healthcare education is a tool that provides computer-based, interactive, and immersive learning experiences replicating real-world clinical scenarios or procedures. These simulations provide a safe and controlled setting for healthcare professionals to practice clinical skills, decision-making, and patient interactions. The integration of VS in healthcare education represents a paradigm shift in pedagogical approaches, offering numerous benefits such as enhanced patient safety, increased accessibility to diverse clinical scenarios, standardisation of learning experiences, cost-effective alternatives to traditional simulation methods, flexibility in learning time and location, and potential for personalised learning pathways. However, the literature lacks a clear definition of VS, highlighting a significant gap in our comprehensive understanding of the concept and its models. In addition, it shows improvements in clinical reasoning and decision-making skills among undergraduates, however, their impact on postgraduates could be less clear.
Methods: This scoping review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. It will cover studies involving health professionals, specifically health educators, physicians, nurses, and paramedics, focusing on the use of virtual simulation for education and training to enhance decision-making in postgraduate healthcare. The context will include postgraduate and all healthcare education and training settings. The search strategy, designed according to JBI guidelines, will involve an initial search, database searches, and reviewing reference lists of included studies. Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC (Ebsco), Web of Science Core Collection, and the International Journal of Healthcare Simulation (IJoHS) will be searched. Study selection will be conducted using the Covidence tool, with two independent reviewers reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third team member. The final results will be reported and will include a PRISMA flowchart for presentation.
