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Conceptual framework

Excellence in healthcare simulation may be seen as the product of three components (Figure 1): organisational framework (curricular institutionalisation), training resources and educational use, faculty and support personnel expertise. This framework will be used to map the criteria of excellence in healthcare simulation education to continue to facilitate institutions to “aspire” and achieve excellence in all four domains.

• Organisational framework (curricular institutionalisation) includes elements necessary for full adoption and integration of simulation-based medical education into an institution’s mission and culture. It involves the decision of an institution to fully embrace its goal of improving patient care and patient safety through reducing and preventing medical errors, as well as more individual goals of teaching and assessing across a wide range of competencies.
• Training resources and educational use refers to incorporating appropriate simulation methodologies that meet an institution’s needs. In addition, it includes having the necessary physical space and support resources for simulation-based training. It also encompasses best evidence justification for, and application of, the associated curricula, learning strategies and outcome measures.
• Faculty and support personnel expertise includes healthcare professionals trained in the proper use of simulation-based education. It also includes administrative and technical individuals involved in the operation, management, and administration of simulation-based training, as well as researchers dedicated to advancing the field.