Healthcare Simulation Education – Key Terms,
Concepts & Debriefing Strategies|Latest
Updated Rationales Graded A+
Actor
A method of debriefing in which an observer states what was observed or performed in a
simulation activity (advocacy) or shares critical or appreciative insights about it explicitly
(advocacy) and then asks the learners for an explanation of their thoughts or actions (inquiry)
(Rudolph et al, 2007).
Inquiry
Seeks to learn what others think, know, want, or feel.
Advocacy
Includes statements that communicate what an individual thinks, knows, wants or feels (Bolman
& Deal, 2013).
Alpha and Beta Testing
Early testing of a product by the developers or programmers, but not by potential users. The
purpose of alpha-testing is to find and resolve as many 'bugs' or problems in the software that
were unanticipated during the design and development. The purpose of beta-testing is identical
to alpha-testing.
Adaptive Learning
Incorporates a wide range of technologies and techniques that observes participants and
adjusts the learning experience on demand to meet the unique needs of the participants and
facilitate the individual/team members in meeting the identified objectives. (Akbulut & Cardak,
2012; Brusilovsky & Peylo, 2003; Pope, Gore, & Renfroe, 2012)
Etymology of Alpha
Alpha (adj.) c. 1300, from Latin alpha, from Greek alpha, from Hebrew or Phoenician aleph. The
sense of 'beginning of anything' is from late 14c.
Etymology of Beta
Beta (adj.) c. 1300, from Greek, from Hebrew/Phoenician beth; used to designate the second of
many things.
,Etymology of Adapt
Adapt (v.) early 15c. 'to fit (something, for some purpose),' from Old French adapter (14c.), from
Latin adaptare 'adjust, fit to.'
Etymology of Learning
Learning (n.) Old English leornung 'study, action of acquiring knowledge,' verbal noun from
leornian.
Etymology of Test
Test (v.) late 14c., the noun form 'small vessel used in assaying precious metals,' from Old
French test, from Latin testum 'earthen pot.'
Advocacy and Inquiry
A term that combines the concepts of advocacy, which involves pleading or supporting, and
inquiry, which involves investigation or questioning.
Simulated Patient
A person trained to reproduce the components of real clinical experience, especially involving
communication between health professionals and patients or colleagues.
Role Player
An individual who acts out a role in a simulation to provide realistic scenarios for learners.
Standardized Patient
A trained individual who consistently simulates a patient scenario for educational purposes.
Embedded Participant
A participant who is integrated into a simulation to enhance realism and learning.
Learning Curve
A graphical representation of the rate of learning over time, attested by 1907.
Dry Run
A practice session or trial run of a procedure or process.
Pilot Test
A small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events
involved in a research project.
,Simulation Activity
An educational exercise that replicates real-world scenarios for training purposes.
Critical Insights
Thoughtful observations that provide valuable feedback or understanding about a situation.
Appreciative Insights
Positive observations that recognize and value the effectiveness of actions or performances.
Communication in Healthcare
The exchange of information between health professionals and patients or colleagues, crucial
for effective care.
Simulation in Healthcare
The use of simulated environments to train healthcare professionals in clinical skills and
decision-making.
Etymology of Inquiry
Inquest (n.) mid-15c., from Latin methodus 'way of teaching or going,' from Greek methodos
'scientific inquiry.'
Formative
A type of assessment wherein the facilitator's focus is on the participant's progress toward goal
attainment through preset criteria; a process for an individual or group engaged in a simulation
activity for the purpose of providing constructive feedback for that individual or group to
improve.
Summative
A type of assessment at the end of a learning period or at a discrete point in time in which
participants are provided with feedback about their achievement of outcome through preset
criteria; a process for determining the competence of a participant engaged in healthcare
activity.
High-stakes
A type of assessment associated with a simulation activity that has a major academic,
educational, or employment consequence at a discrete point in time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
, A system of computerized data-gathering and prediction that models human behavior and
decision-making with minimal human intervention.
Machine Learning
A process in which software is programmed to alter algorithms and predictions based on
observed data and results without human intervention.
Virtual Patients
Patients that use artificial intelligence to react appropriately to the user or learner.
Assessor
A person who performs assessment of individuals according to pre-established criteria.
Assessment
The act of determining or adjusting of tax rate, charges, damages, etc., to be paid; in education
jargon, it refers to the process of evaluating student performance.
Artificial
Not natural or spontaneous; made or produced by human beings rather than occurring
naturally.
Intelligence
The highest faculty of the mind, capacity for comprehending general truths; understanding,
knowledge, power of discerning.
Evaluation
The process of assessing or appraising the performance or achievement of an individual or
group.
Simulation Activity
An educational exercise that mimics real-life scenarios for the purpose of training and
assessment.
Competence
The ability of a participant to perform tasks or activities to a specified standard.
Outcome Criteria
The predefined standards or goals that participants are expected to achieve during an
assessment.
Concepts & Debriefing Strategies|Latest
Updated Rationales Graded A+
Actor
A method of debriefing in which an observer states what was observed or performed in a
simulation activity (advocacy) or shares critical or appreciative insights about it explicitly
(advocacy) and then asks the learners for an explanation of their thoughts or actions (inquiry)
(Rudolph et al, 2007).
Inquiry
Seeks to learn what others think, know, want, or feel.
Advocacy
Includes statements that communicate what an individual thinks, knows, wants or feels (Bolman
& Deal, 2013).
Alpha and Beta Testing
Early testing of a product by the developers or programmers, but not by potential users. The
purpose of alpha-testing is to find and resolve as many 'bugs' or problems in the software that
were unanticipated during the design and development. The purpose of beta-testing is identical
to alpha-testing.
Adaptive Learning
Incorporates a wide range of technologies and techniques that observes participants and
adjusts the learning experience on demand to meet the unique needs of the participants and
facilitate the individual/team members in meeting the identified objectives. (Akbulut & Cardak,
2012; Brusilovsky & Peylo, 2003; Pope, Gore, & Renfroe, 2012)
Etymology of Alpha
Alpha (adj.) c. 1300, from Latin alpha, from Greek alpha, from Hebrew or Phoenician aleph. The
sense of 'beginning of anything' is from late 14c.
Etymology of Beta
Beta (adj.) c. 1300, from Greek, from Hebrew/Phoenician beth; used to designate the second of
many things.
,Etymology of Adapt
Adapt (v.) early 15c. 'to fit (something, for some purpose),' from Old French adapter (14c.), from
Latin adaptare 'adjust, fit to.'
Etymology of Learning
Learning (n.) Old English leornung 'study, action of acquiring knowledge,' verbal noun from
leornian.
Etymology of Test
Test (v.) late 14c., the noun form 'small vessel used in assaying precious metals,' from Old
French test, from Latin testum 'earthen pot.'
Advocacy and Inquiry
A term that combines the concepts of advocacy, which involves pleading or supporting, and
inquiry, which involves investigation or questioning.
Simulated Patient
A person trained to reproduce the components of real clinical experience, especially involving
communication between health professionals and patients or colleagues.
Role Player
An individual who acts out a role in a simulation to provide realistic scenarios for learners.
Standardized Patient
A trained individual who consistently simulates a patient scenario for educational purposes.
Embedded Participant
A participant who is integrated into a simulation to enhance realism and learning.
Learning Curve
A graphical representation of the rate of learning over time, attested by 1907.
Dry Run
A practice session or trial run of a procedure or process.
Pilot Test
A small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events
involved in a research project.
,Simulation Activity
An educational exercise that replicates real-world scenarios for training purposes.
Critical Insights
Thoughtful observations that provide valuable feedback or understanding about a situation.
Appreciative Insights
Positive observations that recognize and value the effectiveness of actions or performances.
Communication in Healthcare
The exchange of information between health professionals and patients or colleagues, crucial
for effective care.
Simulation in Healthcare
The use of simulated environments to train healthcare professionals in clinical skills and
decision-making.
Etymology of Inquiry
Inquest (n.) mid-15c., from Latin methodus 'way of teaching or going,' from Greek methodos
'scientific inquiry.'
Formative
A type of assessment wherein the facilitator's focus is on the participant's progress toward goal
attainment through preset criteria; a process for an individual or group engaged in a simulation
activity for the purpose of providing constructive feedback for that individual or group to
improve.
Summative
A type of assessment at the end of a learning period or at a discrete point in time in which
participants are provided with feedback about their achievement of outcome through preset
criteria; a process for determining the competence of a participant engaged in healthcare
activity.
High-stakes
A type of assessment associated with a simulation activity that has a major academic,
educational, or employment consequence at a discrete point in time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
, A system of computerized data-gathering and prediction that models human behavior and
decision-making with minimal human intervention.
Machine Learning
A process in which software is programmed to alter algorithms and predictions based on
observed data and results without human intervention.
Virtual Patients
Patients that use artificial intelligence to react appropriately to the user or learner.
Assessor
A person who performs assessment of individuals according to pre-established criteria.
Assessment
The act of determining or adjusting of tax rate, charges, damages, etc., to be paid; in education
jargon, it refers to the process of evaluating student performance.
Artificial
Not natural or spontaneous; made or produced by human beings rather than occurring
naturally.
Intelligence
The highest faculty of the mind, capacity for comprehending general truths; understanding,
knowledge, power of discerning.
Evaluation
The process of assessing or appraising the performance or achievement of an individual or
group.
Simulation Activity
An educational exercise that mimics real-life scenarios for the purpose of training and
assessment.
Competence
The ability of a participant to perform tasks or activities to a specified standard.
Outcome Criteria
The predefined standards or goals that participants are expected to achieve during an
assessment.
