Simulation – orthodoxy and doctrine.

Role-play is accepted as a proxy for actual performance

Too often in simulation we bring together a group of learners, all at the same stage in training, typically all within the same professional grouping, and give them parts to play. We ask a group of FY1s to ‘play’ the registrar, the nurse, the consultant and so on. In so doing, we ask them to play out their understandings of ways of being, thinking and acting…fine, if the goal is to work with their stereotypes! If simulation is to be meaningful, I think we need to stop thinking about role play, and move into role-rehearsal. We need to give opportunities to rehearse the types of work activity that are at the level of expectation (or just beyond) the learners point in development. We need to construct scenarios that seek authenticity in terms of roles, responsibilities and contexts.

Read this previously published post here.