‘We are the (simulation) champions – evaluating the role of simulation champions to enrich the diversity of simulation practice placements within higher education institutions undergraduate healthcare programmes’
Authors: Bain Suzi 
Published: November 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant impact on undergraduate healthcare practice placement education [1]. In response, the Scottish Government, committed to ensuring Adult and Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedic Science students have adequate provision to student placements, awarded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) funding to develop simulation placements. Within our HEI a Clinical Skills and Simulation Team (CSST) has been created comprising 3 Lecturers, a Simulation Technician, and a Digital Technologist. The team then built a Simulation Champions group (n=30) through fostering working relationships, to help promote simulation-based education (SBE) pedagogy across the HEI. The purpose of this study is to explore whether creating a simulation champions group has any impact on the delivery of simulated practice placements within undergraduate healthcare programmes.

The Simulation Champions are a diverse group comprised of internal academic faculty and external National Health Service (NHS) partners (such as practice education facilitators) who are passionate educators in SBE. Each external partner has a contact within the HEI, aligned to their area of clinical expertise. Through an agreed Terms of Reference, their aim is to enhance, resource, and assist the delivery of high-quality, high-fidelity simulation placements to students by working collaboratively in line with the relevant professional body standards and proficiencies [2]. The CSST oversee the Simulation Champions, providing strategic direction, leadership, following the HEI strategy [3], and support the delivery of Simulation Placements. The group meets every quarter to discuss simulation practices, explore Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, and share knowledge and learning. The impact of this team will be measured through staff and student reflection using a framework to objectively analyse scenario diversity, achievement of learning outcomes, and alignment to professional body proficiencies.

Following ethical approval, a group of Year 1 Adult Nursing students (n=60) will have completed a 40-hour Simulated Practice Placement designed and delivered by Simulation Champions (n=10).

This study will then evaluate and conclude whether there is a need to create and develop a diverse, multi-professional Simulation Champions Group before successful Simulated Practice Placements can be achieved. It will also help determine if securing strong working relationships ensures a smooth transfer of knowledge and skills from clinical practice to the simulation setting within a HEI, and if all of this enhances the student experience.

1. Caplan J, Clements R, Chadwick C, Kadirgamar J, Morgan J, Rao A. Medical education in 2020: developing COVID secure undergraduate hospital placements. Medical Science Educator. 2020;30(4):1677–83.

2. NMC 2018a, 2018b, 2018c, 2018d:

Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Code. Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

Nursing and Midwifery Council. Realising professionalism: Standards for education and training. Part 3: Standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes.

Nursing and Midwifery Council. Realising professionalism: Standards for education and training. Part 3: Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes.

3. University of the West of Scotland. Strategy 2025. 2020. uws-strategy-2025.pdf. [Accessed on 25/01/2022]