The role of simulation in Postgraduate Medical Education

The increasingly complex nature of healthcare results in postgraduate teaching requirements that are challenging and sophisticated. Simulation has much to offer  in facing challenges of postgraduate medical education. A range of higher level competencies expected by a postgraduate trainee could be trained and achieved through simulation.

The uses of simulation range from simple to sophisticated and from  low-fidelity to high-fidelity and highly realistic. The research evidence shows low-fidelity options can be as effective high-fidelity simulators with regards to educational impact.

However, simulation is not a panacea to solve all  challenges within postgraduate medical education. The high cost, implementation issues, possiblities of negative learning and false confidence are serious concerns. There is a need for seamless integration with the system, a robust evidence-base and cost effectiveness .