Abstract

Background: Simulation is the virtual, physical, or hybrid replication of a task/event for the purpose of training and assessment and must be contextually accurate to be functional. Therefore, a single profession does not suffice when designing simulation experiences, but instead several professions must work together. To address this, we have developed maxSIMhealth.

Innovation: MaxSIMhealth is a multidisciplinary network of manufacturing, design, and simulation labs at Ontario Tech University combining expertise in Health Sciences, Business and IT, Engineering, and more while building community partnerships to advance simulation training. Its vision is to advance knowledge discovery and application that revolutionizes health by offering innovative solutions for simulation training and clinical application. It discovers existing simulation gaps, provides innovative solutions that can change systems, and could improve healthcare outcomes.

Methods: MaxSIMhealth utilizes disruptive technologies (3D printing, gaming, extended reality) as innovative solutions that deliver cost-effective, portable, and realistic simulation, which is currently lacking. Our work spans a broad spectrum of scholarship from mapping existing gaps, to changing education systems, to improving learning and performance outcomes. To ensure timely and meaningful knowledge translation, we have established an institutional channel within the Cureus Journal for Medical Sciences where our work is freely disseminated as peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed publications.

Conclusions: MaxSIMhealth is a novel collaborative innovation aiming to develop future scholar cohorts with strong competencies ranging from technology application, to collaborating in new environments, to communicating professionally and problem-solving. Its work will transform the current health professional education landscape by providing novel, flexible, and inexpensive simulation experiences.