title: Simulation in healthcare: a taxonomy and a conceptual framework for instructional design and media selection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simulation in healthcare lacks a dedicated framework and supporting taxonomy for instructional design (ID) to assist educators in creating appropriate simulation learning experiences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to fill the identified gap. It provides a conceptual framework for ID of healthcare simulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The work is based on published literature and authors' experience with simulation-based education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The framework for ID itself presents four progressive levels describing the educational intervention. Medium is the mode of delivery of instruction. Simulation modality is the broad description of the simulation experience and includes four modalities (computer-based simulation, simulated patient (SP), simulated clinical immersion, and procedural simulation) in addition to mixed, hybrid simulations. Instructional method describes the techniques used for learning. Presentation describes the detailed characteristics of the intervention. The choice of simulation as a learning medium is based on a matrix of simulation relating acuity (severity) to opportunity (frequency) of events, with a corresponding zone of simulation. An accompanying chart assists in the selection of appropriate media and simulation modalities based on learning outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This framework should help educators incorporate simulation in their ID efforts. It also provides a taxonomy to streamline future research and ID efforts in simulation.
authors.affiliation: Université Laval, 1050, Avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, local 3770-F, Qubec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada. Gilles.Chiniara@fmed.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chiniara
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brisbin
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huffman
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cragg
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamacchia
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Norman
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*