NHET-Sim Virtual Workshops

The workshops are similar to our regular face-to-face sessions, re-formatted to suit a virtual delivery. The workshops will be delivered by Zoom. Spaces are limited so early registration is highly encouraged.

While the workshops are open to Australian-based practitioners, International participants are welcomed.

Module C2: Being a simulation educator

This module covers basic principles of simulation with a particular focus on educational design for simulation scenarios, briefing and debriefing practices. We consider what it means to be a simulation educator. Even if you are mainly involved in technical aspects of simulation-based education (SBE), we considered it important to be exposed to the core elements of the work of a simulation educator. This module facilitates formation of a local community of practice by bringing participants together to discuss and practice SBE and training techniques.

8 and 9 June 2023 – 9:00 to 12:00pm

(Melbourne, Australia time, AEST, UTC/GMT +10 hours)

Module S5: Simulated patient methodology

This module introduces some core facets of simulated patient (SP) methodology. The focus is on preparing SPs to work in healthcare simulations. The module describes a systematic approach to SP methodology. The module addresses issues at the level of the clinical training program (e.g. scenario development, alignment with curriculum, assessment etc) and at the level of the individual SP (e.g. casting, performance training etc). You are encouraged to think creatively about the breadth of content to which SPs can contribute to your own practice and to reflect on current approaches.

20 July 2023 – 2:00 to 5:00pm

(Melbourne, Australia time, AEST, UTC/GMT +10 hours)

Module S6: Patient focused simulation

When clinicians perform examinations and procedures on patients, they are expected to manage a complex set of skills (e.g. psychomotor, communication) while exercising clinical judgment and other aspects of professionalism. We often teach these components of the complex sets of skills separately. Hybrid or blended simulations enable trainees to bring all these skills together. This module explores the expanding practice of hybrid simulations also known as patient focused simulations. That is, the ‘combining of simulators’ – usually a simulated patient (SP) with a skills trainer (e.g. bench top, VR simulator etc). Here we briefly revisit some of the concepts in Module S5 – Simulated patient methodology, but consider their application to procedural and operative skills. That is, in patient focused simulations. We also explore the contribution of hybrid simulations to sequential simulations and the role of feedback, especially as offered by SPs. You are encouraged to think creatively about the application of patient focused simulations in your practice.

27 July 2023 – 2:00 to 5:00pm

(Melbourne, Australia time, AEST, UTC/GMT +10 hours)

Module S9: Debriefing in simulation

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect on your debriefing practices. The online module revisits information on debriefing from Module C2 - Being a simulation educator. Here we explore conditions for effective debriefing. However, effective debriefing is much more than a set of skills and techniques. It is important to continue to reflect deeply on your values about learning and teaching. There will be an opportunity for you to share experiences of what works and what does not together with opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your debriefing. You will also have an opportunity to use different techniques to reflect on your debriefing practice and set goals for further development of your debriefing.

7 July 2023 – 9:00 to 12:00pm

(Melbourne, Australia time, AEST, UTC/GMT +10 hours)

Module S10: Developing scenario

Scenarios are a fundamental part of simulation-based education and require careful planning to enable the simulation to meet required learning outcomes. Scenarios can be difficult to develop and may require several iterations to optimally support learning. Factors that enable and constrain scenario development will also be discussed.

19 September - 9:00 to 12:00pm (RESCHEDULED FROM 16 JUNE)

(Melbourne, Australia time, AEST, UTC/GMT +10 hours)

Module S12: Simulation based interprofessional education (IPE)

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect on how simulation can support the development of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). That is, the ways in which individuals from different professions, disciplines, craft groups and other service roles work together to provide the highest quality care for patients and their families. This module addresses ways in which simulation may support the development of IPCP. We explore some of the complex interprofessional language, we share what several people have to say about IPCP, we invite you to think about your own IPCP, what you do well, what you might improve. We consider evidence on the contribution of simulation to IPCP, learn from others about getting started in interprofessional simulation and then focus on developing your own practice. The e-learning revisits information from the core modules and many of the optional modules too.

2023 schedule coming soon

Facilitator profile

Debra Nestel, PhD, FSSH, is the NHET-Sim Programme Lead as well as, Professor of Simulation Education in Healthcare, Monash University, and Professor of Surgical Education, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Australia. Debra is Editor in Chief, Advances in Simulation, the journal of the Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine (SESAM). She is program lead for the Graduate Programs in Surgical Education (Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) and the Graduate Programs in Surgical Science (Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne). Debra leads the national program for simulation educators – NHET-Sim and a virtual network in simulated patient methodology. Debra has published over 180 peer-reviewed papers in health professions education, edited books on simulated patient methodology (2015), healthcare simulation (2018), surgical education (2019) and research methods in healthcare simulation (2019). Debra has won many awards and prizes for her work in simulation including the Australian Awards for University Teaching, the Ray Page Lifetime Contribution to Simulation Award (Simulation Australasia), a presidential citation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and is the first Australia-based fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Roles in simulation

  • Chair, Research Committee, Society for Simulation in Healthcare
  • Past Chair, Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare
  • Past Board member, Simulation Australasia
  • Past Board member, Society for Simulation in Healthcare
  • Editor in Chief, Advances in Simulation
  • Course Director, short courses award and non-award courses in simulation
  • Graduate student supervisor of various projects in simulation

Cathy Smith, BA (hons), MA, PhD, CHSE, has worked as a simulationist in health professional education for over 25 years. She consults with various educational and assessment organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.  She works with learners in undergraduate, graduate, continuing education, and faculty development contexts. She has developed curriculum for diverse formats, ranging from face-to-face to web-based platforms.  Recognition for her work includes: the Ruedy Award (Canadian Association of Faculties of Medicine) for innovation in medical education; the Blizzard Award (Canadian Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) for outstanding teaching; the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Outstanding Educator Award; and the SIMone Simulation Citizen of the Year Award. A long time ASPE member, she is the current chair of the International Committee. She serves on the editorial board of Advances in Simulation. Recent peer reviewed articles include the ASPE Standards of Best Practice for human role players in simulation as well as working with older SPs.  She has also contributed chapters to books related to SP methodology. Cathy has a particular interest the role of simulated participants in simulation-based education and assessment and performance in simulation.

Roles in simulation:

  • Deputy Director, Simulated Patient Network
  • Simulation and Interprofessional Educator, Baycrest, Toronto
  • National SP Training Consultant, Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada
  • Lead Faculty, Simulation Canada
  • Chair, International Committee, and Board member, ASPE
  • Committee Member, Standards of Practice Committee, ASPE
  • Member of Editorial Board, Advances in Simulation

Dr Shane Pritchard is Lecturer (Physiotherapy) at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Shane has been a faculty member and facilitator of NHET-Sim since 2013, and has a particular interest in simulated participant methodology. Shane completed his PhD in 2020 that investigated innovative simulation-based education approaches for physiotherapy students, and has published several simulation-based educational research papers exploring the practices and experiences of simulated participants and educators.

Shane has co-authored the “SPs and moulage” and “SPs in nursing, pharmacy, paramedicine and physiotherapy” modules for the Simulated Patient Network, and regularly facilitates simulation-based education sessions for physiotherapy students in his day-to-day academic work. Previously, Shane has worked with various health professional educators to design and facilitate simulation-based education sessions that include simulation scenarios, SP training, and debriefing. Shane is also Director of an organisation that provides simulation-based education and training to international physiotherapists seeking registration in Australia.

Separate to his simulation interests, Shane works clinically part-time as a physiotherapist, primarily involved with providing multidisciplinary pain management services for clients with complex chronic pain conditions.

Melissa (Mel) Ciardulli, MAdEd, AdvClinNur, BNAppSci (Nursing) RN, is the current Simulation Program Leader for the Faculty of Health Sciences, Youth and Community Studies at Holmesglen Institute, Melbourne, Australia. She has 25 years of experience in paediatric intensive care nursing and holds graduate and postgraduate qualifications in nursing and education. She also recently completed a Master of Adult and Vocational Education. Melissa is also part of the Events Committee for the Victorian Simulation Alliance.

In her role as Simulation Program Leader, she has led several simulation initiatives across the faculty including the introduction of an Intraprofessional Simulation for Bachelor and Diploma of Nursing students, a collaborative program with STEM high school students to experience healthcare careers through simulation and working with the Dental, Community Services and Allied health departments to embark on a range of innovative simulations in their courses. She is also co-authoring a chapter on Paediatric Nursing for a Springer textbook on Simulation in Nursing.

Melissa is a passionate advocate for simulation and in developing learners to become capable, knowledgeable, and compassionate individuals ready for success in the healthcare and human services field.