Matching modality to objective
Choose the modality that lets learners practice the target behavior. A high-fidelity manikin may be useful when changing physiology matters. A task trainer may be enough for a procedure. A standardized patient or confederate may be the right choice when communication, uncertainty, or team dynamics are the center of the case.
Fidelity is a tool, not the goal. The best modality is the one that makes the objective observable.
Briefing SPs, confederates, and embedded participants
Embedded participants need a clear role, emotional tone, boundaries, and cueing plan. They should know what information to offer freely, what to reveal only if asked, when to escalate, and what behaviors would derail the learning environment.
Briefing is especially important when a participant is meant to create pressure. The pressure should serve the objective without overwhelming the fiction contract or psychological safety.
Dry runs and case logistics
A dry run checks whether the written case works in the actual room. Use it to test equipment, slides, monitors, microphones, task trainers, medications, props, timing, and handoffs between facilitators.
Dry runs also reveal whether the case is too crowded. If the facilitator needs too many simultaneous cues, changes, or technology moves, simplify the case before learners arrive.
Managing technology and real-time problems
Cases rarely run exactly as written. Learners may get stuck, chase a trivial detail, avoid touching the patient, or move faster than expected. Technology may fail. A facilitator should know which elements are essential to preserve and which can be adapted in the moment.
When something breaks, protect the objective first. Pause, redirect, simplify, or narrate a missing finding if that keeps the case educationally intact.
Sources Used
- Course-authored content synthesized from the local simulation operations framework and exemplar cases in this repository.
- Local exemplar cases:
pediatric-drowningandstemi-on-the-ward. Used for examples of modality selection, participant briefing, dry runs, and real-time troubleshooting.