Teresa Gore

Physical therapy simulation uses realistic clinical scenarios, standardized patients, task trainers, virtual reality, and manikins to help physical therapy students and clinicians practice patient assessment, treatment planning, communication, and hands-on interventions in a safe learning environment before working with actual patients.

Quality healthcare simulation does not occur by chance. To provide the best clinical simulation experiences that improve learner and potentially patient outcomes, healthcare simulation requires trained simulation professionals. There are always professional development opportunities available through local, regional, national, and international healthcare simulation educational programs.

Medical simulation is a training and assessment method that allows healthcare professionals and students to practice clinical skills, decision-making, teamwork, and communication in a realistic but safe environment without risking patient harm. Healthcare is one of the few professions in which learners must develop confidence, clinical judgment, technical skills, communication, and teamwork before caring for real patients.