About the Becoming Simulation Faculty programme
This national programme supports the development of a multiprofessional faculty of educators, practitioners, technicians and managers from higher education institutions and NHS organisations who want to design and deliver simulation and immersive learning. This programme also recognises the capabilities required by colleagues interested in applying simulation and immersive technologies to patient safety and quality improvement workstreams.
NHSE TEL has been investigating a wide variety of Simulation and Immersive technologies and approaches which will enhance the education and training of the current and future workforce, whilst also enabling learners to have a “hands-on” experience. However, these innovative methods also require the faculty to have appropriate capabilities to apply these methods and resources effectively.
The programme is designed to support colleagues across healthcare organisations as they explore teaching with simulation and immersive learning approaches, and to provide a platform on which further local training can be based. After completing the programme, colleagues will have evidence of professional development in this field that can be used to help focus further attainment of skills and practise, as well as within personal portfolios for appraisal purposes.
The Core Course of Becoming Simulation Faculty consists of 6 eLearning topics and a face to face workshop which have been authored by a multi professional group of experts. From April 2024 to June 2025, the core course workshops were piloted in each NHSE region in collaboration with the regional simulation networks. It is expected that course participants will have completed all 6 eLearning topics prior to attending a core course workshop.
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Topic 1: Introduction to Simulation Based Education (SBE)
This topic introduces the course and key aspects of the theory and practice of Simulation Based Education (SBE), focusing on principles and purpose of SBE and the breadth of use across health and care education and clinical practise.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Be aware of the background to the development, design, and purpose of this course
- To describe the rationale and potential benefits of SBE in enhancing the professional development of individuals and multiprofessional teams in different health and care contexts and help improve the quality and safety of care
- Become familiar with the different modalities of simulation available (e.g. Simulated patients, part-task / hybrid trainers, Mixed reality immersive technologies etc.) and outline the benefits and limitations of each
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Topic 2: Educational Theory in Simulation Based Education (SBE)
This topic introduces key educational theories and practice and how they help us make the most of SBE.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Identify a range of educational theories and how they apply to a variety of SBE activities
- Explain how different aspects of SBE encourage learners to engage and learn
- Articulate how SBE is an educational process not a standalone event
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Topic 3: Creating a Simulated Learning Environment
This topic introduces key aspects of creating a simulated learning environment, including creating and delivering scenarios.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Identify the phases of simulation
- Explore the basic aspects of simulation scenario design
- Discuss how to deal with potential problems during the scenario
- To understand the role of the learner in simulation
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Topic 4: Debriefing and Feedback Models
This topic introduces candidates to debriefing and feedback in SBE. It describes the role of debriefing, identifies debriefing models, and highlights tools that can be used to support future development of these critical skills in different practise settings.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Describe the role of debriefing in the learning process
- Identify different models and structures for debriefing
- Have an awareness of strategies for difficult situations
- Understand the value of evaluating debriefing effectiveness, e.g. video recording, self-reflection, peer review, participant feedback, OSAD and DASH
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Topic 5: Human Factors, Ergonomics and Patient Safety
This topic introduces the science and practice of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) and describes how specific HFE tools and techniques might help enhance the design, delivery, and benefit of simulation-based practice in different contexts.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Outline Human Factors and Ergonomics as a science, its aims, and scope of practice to optimise system performance and human well being
- Describe different types of performance influencing factors that can help or hinder delivery of safe, effective care
- Outline key principles of individual and team-based professional capabilities and limitations that can affect performance of ‘the human’ in the system and be explored through simulation-based activities
- Describe current concepts relevant to patient safety improvement and organisational learning such as adopting a safety-II mindset, differentiating work-as-done from work-as-imagined, and identifying benefits of a restorative ‘just and learning’ culture
- Explore and critique a series of case studies that illustrate how simulation-based interventions can help apply HFE and systems thinking methodologies to benefit patient safety improvement, work system and process design, and support a restorative culture approach in learning from harm
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Topic 6: Roles and Responsibilities
This topic introduces the wide range of individual roles and responsibilities involved in planning, developing, and delivering SBE, including the management of a simulation programme or centre.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- Clarify key roles associated with SBE, and their respective scopes of practice and responsibilities
- Describe how those roles interact in the production of high quality SBE
- Consider potential conflicts that may arise in SBE how they may be resolved or mitigated
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Workshop
The workshop will offer an experiential learning opportunity to extend and consolidate the knowledge from the elearning topics within the core course, and focus on some key skills and behaviours that are important for new simulation faculty to discuss or rehearse together. It is intended to be sustainable, quality assured and interactive.
The learning outcomes for the workshop are:
- Describe the importance of understanding learner needs, expectations, and concerns when planning, designing and delivering a simulation-based learning experience
- Identify approaches to help align intended learning outcomes with the design and delivery of a simulation-based activity
- Discuss the principles and challenges of facilitating effective debriefing and feedback in relation to experiential learning
- Describe how key approaches to evaluation can be used to demonstrate the benefits of simulation-based activities
- Identify your immediate professional development needs as a faculty member and the next steps to help you achieve them
If you would like to express an interest in attending a workshop in your region, please fill out this form. Please note that all six eLearning topics should be completed before attending the workshop.
Current available dates for workshops across England are available on our BSF Learning Hub Page.
Additional Topics
A series of specialised or advanced topics are under development.
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Topic A: Sim Techs
This topic expands upon the role of the Simulation technicians (Sim Tech), covering what they do, why their work is important and development of the role. This topic is aimed at simulation technicians and those who work with them, or those who may be creating a simulation faculty.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- define the role of a simulation technician
- identify the responsibilities that simulation technicians may have
- explain how SimTechs enhance the technical, clinical and education aspects of simulation
- discuss case studies of different achievements that simulation technicians have made
- describe the difficulties associated with CPD for Sim Techs
- discuss possible career pathways
- identify opportunities for CPD
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Topic B: Extended Reality (XR)
This topic explores what is meant by Extended Reality (XR) and its applications across healthcare, then discusses best practise for creating and delivering XR.
The learning outcomes for this topic are:
- define XR and differentiate between its various forms
- describe current and potential applications of XR in healthcare education and training
- identify suitable XR technologies for different healthcare training scenarios
- assess your readiness to use XR
- identify opportunities for using XR
- explain the considerations for planning an XR creation project
- describe the process for creating XR content
- describe the considerations for delivering XR learning content
- minimise the impact of challenges when delivering XR learning content
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Topic C: Evaluation
In development
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Topic D: SEIPS
In development
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Topic E: Simulated participants
In development
Acknowledgements
- Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH)
- Lorraine Whatley, Senior lecturer, Oxford Brookes University
- Paul Bailey, Practice Educator, Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre
- Elaine Leach, Practice Educator, St. Edward’s University
- Josh Whittaker, Otolaryngology trainee, West Midlands
- Suhas Kumar, Consultant Critical Care and Anaesthesia, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Mohamed Elriedy, Anaesthetic Consultant ,University of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trusts
- Andy Buttery, MSc Simulation Pathway Lead, Canterbury Christ Church University
- Sharon Kilke, Senior Educator in Resuscitation & Simulation, University of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trusts
- Naomi Shiner, Faculty Director of Simulation, Keele University
- Sharon Weldon, Professor of Healthcare Simulation and Workforce Development , University of Greenwich
- Alastair Graham, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Alan Platt, Northumbria University
- Kevin Stirling, Lecturer, University of Dundee
- Hull Institute of Learning and Simulation
- Thomas Hayes, Simulation Technician, Newcastle Simulation Centre
- Rachel Crisp, Simulation and Clinical Skills Senior Lead, Barts Health NHS Trust
- Kate Rogers, Learning & Simulation Technologist, Wexham Park Hospital
- Sam McCormack, Principal Technical Specialist – Clinical Simulation, Brunel University of London
- Dan Blood, Senior Simulation Technician, Surrey Clinical Simulation Centre
- Ian Ballard, Senior Simulation Technician, University of Aberdeen
- Wesley Simpson, Senior Clinical Skills & Simulation Technician, University of Worcester
- Wojciech Wardenga, Specialist Simulation Technician, University of Southampton
- Nick Peres, Programme Director for Digital Innovation and Transformation, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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Further Acknowledgements
Emma Broughton Emma Connolly Nicola Calthorpe Christine Walker Chris Sadler Alastair Graham Vivek Murthy Karen Johns Anita Bignell Liz Mills Sarah Bettles Ashok Kumar Beth Tennent Stuart Barton Carol Ward Matthew Fletcher Helen Higham Andrew Burke Jessica McPherson Christopher Leng Katherine Jameison Amanda Cosgrave Sally Tilsley Fiona Poyner Lucy Brock Kevin Macglashan Biju Jose Mohamed Elriedy Colette Laws-Chapman Helen Batty Ruth Scally Matthew Whallett Diego Olmo-Ferrer Claire Aubrey Phillips Katherine Jennifer Baker Andy buttery Karen Parks Charlotte Bates Karishma Mann Alan Platt Liz Underhill Joseph Wheeler Joanne Rainsley Amanda Miller Mark Hatch Ismail Hassan Elisabeth Hawkins Hannah Barnard Lucy Mottram Habib Haider Christina Walker Mem Van Beek Suzanne Heywood-Everett Maryanne Miller Saiqa Akhtar Victoria Waller Julie Rastall Jonathan Wright Hemali Kanji Jenny Tucker Rathinavel Shanmugam Laura Jones Shashi Prasad Kate Larkin Rohit Mittal Shedene Bogle Thomas Wright Samantha Bell Narasimha Rao Sardar Khan Sandra Navas
Meet the Team
- Bryn Baxendale, TEL Advisor and Simulation Clinical Lead
- Gabriel Reedy, Professor of Clinical Education, King’s College London
- Caroline Cocking, Senior Resuscitation and Simulation Trainer, Royal Derby Hospital
- Mark Fores, Senior Nurse, Workforce Delivery, NHSE
- Patricia Howe, Programme Manager, NHSE TEL
- Colette Laws-Chapman, Deputy Director-Simulation, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- David Grant, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol Medical School
- Helen Higham, Associate Professor, University of Oxford
- Michael Moneypenny, Associate Postgraduate Dean for Clinical Skills and Simulation, NHS Education for Scotland
- Sally Richardson, TEL Simulation and Immersive Technologies Project Manager, NHSE
- Chris Gay, Project Manager, NHSE TEL
NHSE Tel Team
- Steven Thompson, Senior Project Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Karole Smith, Programme Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Claire Beattie, Lead Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- David Williams, Project Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Alan Campbell, Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Charlotte Howell, Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Ian Blacklock, Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
- Catherine Moran, Graphic Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
How to access
To access any elfh programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Becoming Simulation Faculty programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
If you already have an account with elfh, then you can enrol on to the Becoming Simulation Faculty programme by logging in to the elfh Hub, selecting My Account > Enrolment and selecting the programme. You can then access the programme immediately in the My e-Learning section.
Not an NHS organisation?
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To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Becoming Simulation Faculty programme, please contact elfh directly.
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More information
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