Elementsa | Subelementsb | Descriptor |
---|---|---|
Participant orientation | Orientation to the simulator | Describe how participants were oriented to the simulator (e.g., method, content, duration). |
 | Orientation to the environment | Describe how participants were oriented to the environment (e.g., method, content, duration). |
Simulator type [16] | Simulator make and model | Describe the simulator make and model. |
 | Simulator functionality | Describe functionality and/or technical specifications that are relevant to the research question. Describe modifications, if any. Describe limitations of the simulator. |
Simulation environment [16] | Location | Describe where the simulation was conducted (e.g., in situ clinical environment, simulation center, etc.). |
 | Equipment | Describe the nature of the equipment available (e.g., type, amount, location, size, etc.). |
 | External stimuli | Describe any external stimuli (e.g., background noise). |
Simulation event/scenario [16] | Event description | Describe if the event was programmed and/or scripted (e.g., orientation to event, scenario progression, triggers). If a scenario was used, the scenario script should be provided as an appendix. |
 | Learning objectives | List the learning objectives and describe how they were incorporated into the event. |
 | Group vs. individual practice | Describe if the simulation was conducted in groups or as individuals. |
 | Use of adjuncts | Describe if adjuncts (e.g., moulage, media, props) were used. |
 | Facilitator/operator characteristics | Describe experience (e.g., clinical, educational), training (e.g., fellowship, courses), profession. |
 | Pilot testing | Describe if pilot testing was conducted (e.g., number, duration, frequency). |
 | Actors/confederates/standardized/simulated patients [16] | Describe experience (e.g., clinical, educational), training (e.g., fellowship, courses), profession, sex. Describe various roles, including training, scripting, orientation, and compliance with roles. |
Instructional design (for educational interventions) [53] or exposure (for simulation as investigative methodology) [16] | Duration | Describe the duration of the educational intervention. If the intervention involves more than one segment, describe the duration of each segment. |
Timing | Describe the timing of the educational intervention relative to the time when assessment/data collection occurs (e.g., just-in-time training). | |
Frequency/repetitions | Describe how many repetitions were permitted and/or the frequency of training (e.g., deliberate practice). | |
Clinical variation | Describe the variation in clinical context (e.g., multiple different patient scenarios). | |
Standards/assessment | Describe predefined standards for participant performance (e.g., mastery learning) and how these standards were established. | |
Adaptability of intervention | Describe how the training was responsive to individual learner needs (e.g., individualized learning). | |
Range of difficulty | Describe the variation in difficulty or complexity of the task. | |
Nonsimulation interventions and adjuncts | Describe all other nonsimulation interventions (e.g., lecture, small group discussion) or educational adjuncts (e.g., educational video), how they were used, and when they were used relative to the simulation intervention. | |
Integration | Describe how the intervention was integrated into curriculum. | |
Feedback and/or debriefing [11] | Source | Describe the source of feedback (e.g., computer, simulator, facilitator). |
Duration | Describe the amount of time spent. | |
Facilitator presence | Describe if a facilitator was present (yes/no), and if so, how many facilitators. | |
Facilitator characteristics | Describe experience (e.g., clinical, educational), training (e.g., fellowship, courses), profession, sex. | |
Content | Describe content (e.g., teamwork, clinical, technical skills, and/or inclusion of quantitative data, etc.). | |
Structure/method | Describe the method of debriefing/feedback and debriefing framework used (ie, phases). | |
Timing | Describe when the feedback and/or debriefing was conducted relative to the simulation event (e.g., terminal vs. concurrent). | |
Video | Describe if video was used (yes/no) and how it was used. | |
Scripting | Describe if a script was used (yes/no) and provide script details as an appendix. |