Simulation Facility Design 101: The Basics

Abstract The design of a clinical simulation facility requires lateral thinking and careful planning as it is neither a patient care environment nor solely a clinical skills training or didactic teaching environment. Design considerations around the utilization for simulation-based education (SBE), assessment, and research need to be kept in mind at all times. SBE and technology move at a fast pace, hence current usability and future developments should be considered. The facility should be designed with flexibility in mind around the specific needs of the planned simulation programs, the learner populations, specialties, and volumes, the simulation modalities and technology, and take into account space, budgetary constraints, and potential future developments. The planning and design are preferably the task of a multitalented team of professionals who clearly understand the mission of the clinical simulation facility and have expertise in SBE, its various modalities, and all aspects of technology (simulators, audiovisual systems, information and communication technology, and medical devices and hospital systems) and their integration. Stakeholder consultation is fundamental as well as involvement of the team who will actually be in charge of the facility’s operations as they may realize that the mission was incomplete or shortsighted, and this may affect design aspects of the facility. It is always easier to amend design specifications at an early stage rather than once tendering is initiated or contractual arrangements have been put in place with the building contractors. Designing a simulation training facility is a multifaceted journey with many possible paths and challenges, and this chapter covers some of them.