title: Towards meaningful simulation-based learning with medical students and junior physicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This research provides an educational perspective on simulation-based medical education by implementing both the characteristics of meaningful learning and the concepts of facilitating, training, and learning processes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate, from the perspectives of both facilitators and students, the meaningfulness of five different simulation-based courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The courses were implemented in the spring of 2010. The data were collected from facilitators (n = 9) and students (n = 25) using group interviews (one individual interview), observations, video recordings, and pre- and post-questionnaires. The research analyzes qualitative data using the qualitative content analysis method to answer the following research question: From facilitators' and students' perspectives, how does the facilitating and training in simulation-based learning environments (SBLEs) foster the meaningful learning of students?
  
  
  RESULTS
  It seems that simulation-based learning is, at its foundation, meaningful since it inherently supports the many characteristics of meaningful learning. However, characteristics also exist that simulation-based learning does not inherently support. In this study, the goal-oriented, self-directed, and individual training characteristics were only somewhat supported during the facilitation and training in SBLEs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In running these courses in the future, facilitators should concentrate on those characteristics that were only somewhat supported.
authors.affiliation: University of Lapland , Finland.
authors.forename: Tuulikki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keskitalo
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ruokamo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaba
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D017145:Models, Educational; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D013337:Students, Medical