Simulation faculty and staff development: An interprofessional, online approach

Abstract Two academic healthcare programs and a university-affiliated hospital were faced with increasing demands for faculty and staff knowledge in support of expanded use of simulation-based education. While a few authors have published recommendations and innovations for faculty development in simulation programs, 1 best practices have yet to be determined. 2 , 3 Through collaboration by simulation program administrators and educators at the College of Nursing, the School of Medicine, and the hospital, an online program was developed for use by multiple disciplines and facilities. An online approach allows for standardization of simulation faculty development across three entities. Faculty and staff were incentivized by the ability to receive continuing education credits. The online self-directed program includes 10 modules with a learner pretest and posttest. Comparisons of pre- and post-test scores have shown knowledge improvements. Through post-course surveys, learners have indicated favorable responses to the online program. In order to implement this type of online approach to simulation faculty development, a stable web-based learning platform is required. For more information about the course, the lead author may be contacted at XXXX. Format The online simulation educator course consists of 10 modules with pretest, posttest, and module quizzes for 8 of 10 modules. Within the program, learners are asked about their personal objectives at the beginning and whether they accomplished those at the end of the course. The Eastern Area Health Education Center (Eastern AHEC), which hosts the program on its learning platform, requires a learner evaluation to be completed before issuing the continuing education certificate, to assure that the data is obtained.