Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important to demonstrate learning outcomes of simulation in technology based practices, such as in advanced health care. Although many studies show skills improvement and self-reported change to practice, there are few studies...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hofmann Bjørn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-07-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/9/48
_version_ 1818110119202783232
author Hofmann Bjørn
author_facet Hofmann Bjørn
author_sort Hofmann Bjørn
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important to demonstrate learning outcomes of simulation in technology based practices, such as in advanced health care. Although many studies show skills improvement and self-reported change to practice, there are few studies demonstrating patient outcome and societal efficiency.</p> <p>The objective of the study is to investigate if and why simulation can be effective and efficient in a hi-tech health care setting. This is important in order to decide whether and how to design simulation scenarios and outcome studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Core theoretical insights in Science and Technology Studies (STS) are applied to analyze the field of simulation in hi-tech health care education. In particular, a process-oriented framework where technology is characterized by its devices, methods and its organizational setting is applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis shows how advanced simulation can address core characteristics of technology beyond the knowledge of technology's functions. Simulation's ability to address skilful device handling as well as purposive aspects of technology provides a potential for effective and efficient learning. However, as technology is also constituted by organizational aspects, such as technology status, disease status, and resource constraints, the success of simulation depends on whether these aspects can be integrated in the simulation setting as well. This represents a challenge for future development of simulation and for demonstrating its effectiveness and efficiency.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Assessing the outcome of simulation in education in hi-tech health care settings is worthwhile if core characteristics of medical technology are addressed. This challenges the traditional technical versus non-technical divide in simulation, as organizational aspects appear to be part of technology's core characteristics.</p>
first_indexed 2024-12-11T02:42:05Z
format Article
id doaj.art-1b11ff2eb601436b8551accc76e5b870
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1472-6920
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-11T02:42:05Z
publishDate 2009-07-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Medical Education
spelling doaj.art-1b11ff2eb601436b8551accc76e5b8702022-12-22T01:23:31ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202009-07-01914810.1186/1472-6920-9-48Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practicesHofmann Bjørn<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important to demonstrate learning outcomes of simulation in technology based practices, such as in advanced health care. Although many studies show skills improvement and self-reported change to practice, there are few studies demonstrating patient outcome and societal efficiency.</p> <p>The objective of the study is to investigate if and why simulation can be effective and efficient in a hi-tech health care setting. This is important in order to decide whether and how to design simulation scenarios and outcome studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Core theoretical insights in Science and Technology Studies (STS) are applied to analyze the field of simulation in hi-tech health care education. In particular, a process-oriented framework where technology is characterized by its devices, methods and its organizational setting is applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis shows how advanced simulation can address core characteristics of technology beyond the knowledge of technology's functions. Simulation's ability to address skilful device handling as well as purposive aspects of technology provides a potential for effective and efficient learning. However, as technology is also constituted by organizational aspects, such as technology status, disease status, and resource constraints, the success of simulation depends on whether these aspects can be integrated in the simulation setting as well. This represents a challenge for future development of simulation and for demonstrating its effectiveness and efficiency.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Assessing the outcome of simulation in education in hi-tech health care settings is worthwhile if core characteristics of medical technology are addressed. This challenges the traditional technical versus non-technical divide in simulation, as organizational aspects appear to be part of technology's core characteristics.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/9/48
spellingShingle Hofmann Bjørn
Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
BMC Medical Education
title Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
title_full Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
title_fullStr Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
title_full_unstemmed Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
title_short Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
title_sort why simulation can be efficient on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/9/48
work_keys_str_mv AT hofmannbjørn whysimulationcanbeefficientonthepreconditionsofefficientlearningincomplextechnologybasedpractices