PROPOSING AN IMPACT ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR ICT ENHANCED SIMULATION BASED LEARNING IN HEALTHCARE. THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

This research presents a proposed of an Impact Assessment model that has been develpment in the framework of an european project called SIMBASE. The aim of this project is to promote the implementation of ICT-enhanced simulation training techniques in healthcare courses around Europe, and to develop measures of their valued-added, and as sharing the best practice.

The consortium has proposed a model to investigate the overall impact of simulation-based learning activities based on criteria of training effectiveness and public health priorities. The model has been defined following a process that is based on four cornerstones:
1. the definition of few and clear key learning phases and actors to follow during the modelling activities,
2. the selection of a set of specifications, standards and models from the State of the Art that constitutes the building blocks of the SIMBASE Impact Assessment Model (IAM),
3. the identification of the main criteria to describe the outcomes and the impact of Simulation Based Learning and Training (SBL/SBT) in healthcare sector, and
4. the identification of the main success factors, influential variables and indicators

The work is based on three existing models, namely: the PRIME Model as the Learning model, the Reference Process Model from the ISO quality standard ISO/IEC 19796-1 as the Process model and the Holton model to transfer of training. The Process Model is used to represent teaching and learning processes as a flow of phases, such as planning including needs identification of health, design, implementation, and evaluation phases including information about sub-processes, objectives, methods, and results as well as details on target groups, success factors and indicators. The SIMBASE adapted PRIME Learning model provides main levels and activities including appropriate research methods and instruments using qualitative and quantitative techniques o assess the data on every level . In addition, the role of all the actors that are involved in the learning process (organization, the teachers, and the learners) are integrated, so they will have an influence on the impact of the teaching and learning process.

This model creates the framework to strategy implementation of simulation based learning programme in the organizations, and is being applied through a guide piloting in four european contries.