Safe, brave, but not overwhelmed. Navigating challenge levels in simulation-based education

Activity

Round table discussion

Description

A fundamental aspect of simulation design is ensuring that simulation activities are set at an appropriate challenge level for the intended learners, however, this may be contentious to define and difficult to facilitate in the moment. A degree of challenge in education is needed for effective learning, however, our conversations and experiences as simulation facilitators have revealed, differences of opinion as to how far to push the boundaries of pressure and challenge, and how best to design, navigate and steer a safe yet challenging simulation. We agree that ensuring educational safety is paramount.
The debate is how to navigate the sweet spot between delivering a lesser challenge and risking reduced engagement and learning and pushing simulation participants from a healthy to unhealthy tension thus creating experiences that generate noxious simulation legacies. Both are suboptimal
educational experiences. Recent publications have asserted that simulation creates an environment for pressure testing and performing under pressure, and that as simulation facilitators we can create a safe environment in which stress
inoculation can occur and our abilities to perform under pressure can expand. By optimising pressure and challenge as simulation facilitators we can maximise participant engagement and potentially the ability to perform under pressure in clinical practice. The focus of simulation is on the creation of a safe but moreover a brave space for learning, with facilitators supporting this endeavour when the pressures are too high, or stressors are too great. So, please join us in this roundtable to debate how the courageous facilitator can design, brief and facilitate an optimal challenge level in simulation with
psychological safety as the utmost priority.
Learning objectives
Discuss the participants experiences and practice of setting challenge level in the design of simulations. Explore current practice in balancing challenge and safety when facilitating simulations. Discuss controversies and consider a consensus for best practice in ensuring psychological safety, to allow for a more
courageous approach to challenge setting for learners during simulation.
All conference participants (up to 40) are welcome. All presenters are experienced clinicians and simulation facilitators, who regularly deliver interactive conference events.

Period	May 2025
Event title	10th International Clinical Skills Conference: Past, present and future
Event type	Conference
Location	Prato, ItalyShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International