The use of simulation in healthcare: from systems issues, to team building, to task training, to education and high stakes examinations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Simulation in healthcare is becoming increasingly used. This review will spotlight some of the uses of simulation in healthcare training. RECENT
FINDINGS: Previously, evaluation of simulation training was typically from evaluations from trainees. Recent articles, however, have linked simulation training to actual patient outcomes and demonstrated skill retention up to 1 year. Objective measurements have demonstrated positive effects on healthcare education, have been successfully used in high stakes examinations, and have uncovered systems and patient safety issues.
SUMMARY: This article will review some recent studies showing how simulation can have a positive effect on patient outcomes and skill retention, uncover systems issues related to patient safety, and how simulation can be used in credentialing, and other high stakes examinations.