Victorian Simulation Alliance - VSA

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Victorian Simulation Alliance - VSA

The Victorian Simulation Alliance Inc. is a free service to all.

We support our subscribers to contribute to simulation innovations across our health and human services community.

18/05/2026

What makes debriefer feedback actually land? 📘

A recent article explores what happens when simulation facilitators move beyond frameworks and engage in meaningful feedback conversations about their debriefing practice.

Rather than focusing solely on tools and competency measures, the study found that effective debriefer feedback also depends on the culture around it (particularly trust, psychological safety, reflection, and a shared commitment to growth).

The article highlights four key themes that support effective feedback conversations. It’s a valuable reminder that strong debriefing practice is built not just through frameworks but through the way feedback is given, received, and embedded within a supportive team culture.

Read the full article here: https://journals.lww.com/simulationinhealthcare/fulltext/2026/04000/beyond_frameworks__an_interpretive_description_of.1.aspx

15/05/2026

📣 ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN - NHSC26

A quick reminder that simulation abstract submissions for the National Health Simulation Conference 2026 close at the end of this month.

This is more than just a presentation opportunity. It’s a chance to:
✅ Share what’s working in your organisation
✅ Contribute to national conversations in simulation
✅ Connect with a community focused on real-world impact

We’re particularly interested in submissions that demonstrate practical application, innovation, and lessons learned.

🚨 Abstracts close 29 May 2026
📍 Gold Coast, Australia
📅 21-22 October 2026

If it’s been sitting on your to-do list, this is your chance:https://vicsim.org.au/media/attachments/2026/04/07/call-for-abstracts---nhsc26.pdf

14/05/2026

Upcoming VSA June Webinar:

✨ Learning Through Dialogue: Simulation and Debriefing in Practice ✨

Meaningful learning conversations are at the heart of effective simulation, debriefing, and collaborative healthcare practice. But what helps teams move beyond surface-level discussion to create deeper reflection and adaptive learning?

In this one-hour webinar, Prof Walter Eppich and Nathan Oliver will explore how dialogue, psychological safety, and micro-communication skills can strengthen teamwork, reflection, and team performance in healthcare.

✔️ Learn from internationally recognised leaders in simulation and debriefing
✔️ Explore practical strategies to foster richer reflective conversations
✔️ Take away actionable techniques to strengthen learning and collaboration in your own practice

📅 Tuesday 2 June 2026
⏰ 6pm - 7pm AEST
📍 Online (Zoom)

Registrations are now open: https://vicsim.org.au/events/events-list/vsa-event/learning-through-dialogue-simulation-and-debriefing-in-practice

13/05/2026

Did you catch this recent Simulation Happy Hour episode? 🎙️

In this conversation, Dani Gardner from the University of Technology Sydney explores how AI chatbots are being used in simulation to enhance students' experiences.

The project explores using AI as a patient voice, giving nursing students a new way to practice communication in real time while performing clinical skills.

Key takeaways include:

👉 Using AI chatbots to simulate patient interactions
👉 Supporting communication, consent and reassurance in practice
👉 Integrating clinical reasoning alongside hands-on skills
👉 Exploring how this approach can improve confidence and learning outcomes

It’s a practical example of how emerging technology is being applied in simulation right now.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ai-chatbots-in-sim-improving-the-student-experience/id1822466658?i=1000755877115

11/05/2026

Have you seen this VSA resource? 📘

A simulation scenario on neurosurgical patient deterioration is now available in the VSA Resource Library.

Designed for post-anaesthetic recovery unit (PARU) nurses, this scenario focuses on managing post-operative deterioration, with an emphasis on airway management, teamwork, and clear communication under pressure. It supports the development of closed-loop communication, shared mental models and leadership in critical moments.

Explore the resource in the VSA Resource Library: https://vicsim.org.au/resources/simulation-resources/scenarios

08/05/2026

✋ Partner with the National Health Simulation Conference 2026

Across Australia, healthcare simulation is driving real change in how we train, prepare and support our workforce. The National Health Simulation Conference 2026 brings this community together and we want your organisation to be part of it.

This is about showing up in a space where conversations are shaping practice, education and system outcomes.

As a sponsor, you’ll be positioned alongside:
✅ Simulation leaders and educators
✅ Health services and universities
✅ Clinicians working at the frontline of change

Whether your goal is connection, visibility, or contributing to the future of the industry, there’s a place for you within the conference.

Explore opportunities and apply here: vicsim.org.au/media/attachments/2026/04/20/sponsorship-prospectus-nhsc26-20-april.pdf

06/05/2026

How do we know if simulation-based education is really making an impact? 📘

A recent study explores how Kirkpatrick’s model can be adapted to evaluate simulation-based education in nursing students. Looking beyond immediate reactions to also assess learning and behaviour change over time.

The study found that simulation-based education improved student satisfaction, self-confidence, knowledge, and clinical reasoning skills, with gains also sustained into clinical practice. It highlights the value of using a more structured evaluation framework to better understand the true impact of simulation in nursing education.

Read the full article here: https://www.nursingsimulation.org/article/S1876-1399(26)00022-8/fulltext

04/05/2026

📣 CALL FOR SIMULATION ABSTRACTS - NHSC26

Have you been working on something worth sharing?

The National Health Simulation Conference 2026 is your opportunity to contribute to the national conversation shaping the future of simulation in healthcare.

We’re inviting abstracts for both oral presentations and posters across:
✅ Translational simulation
✅ Simulation education
✅ Innovative and emerging practice

If you’ve got insights, outcomes, or ideas that could benefit others in the field, we want to hear from you.

🚨 Abstracts close 29 May 2026
📍 Gold Coast, Australia
📅 21-22 October 2026

Submit your abstract and be part of a community driving meaningful impact:https://vicsim.org.au/media/attachments/2026/04/07/call-for-abstracts---nhsc26.pdf

28/04/2026

🔍 Three unexplored research opportunities in healthcare simulation

Healthcare simulation research has advanced significantly, but key gaps remain.

A recent post highlights three underexplored areas that have clear implications for both education and practice: pre-brief protocols, the use of AI in case development, and the psychological impact of simulation on simulated patients.

While debriefing has been widely studied, the pre-brief continues to vary significantly across programs, with little evidence to guide best practice. At the same time, AI tools are rapidly entering the space, offering potential efficiency gains in scenario design - but without clear evidence around quality, bias, or effectiveness.

These gaps represent more than academic questions. They highlight opportunities to strengthen educational practice, improve system design, and better support all participants in simulation.

Read the full post here: https://www.healthysimulation.com/unexplored-research-opportunities-gaps-healthcare-simulation/

27/04/2026

Have you seen this VSA resource? 📘

A simulation lesson plan on ultrasound-guided intravenous cannula insertion is available in the VSA Resource Library.

This lesson plan for a simulation-based teaching session focuses on ultrasound-guided intravenous cannula insertion and is designed to enhance the skills of junior medical staff in inserting peripheral intravenous cannulae (IVCs) in patients with difficult IV access. It includes a two-hour practical session following a pre-learning online video package.

Explore the resource in the VSA Resource Library: https://vicsim.org.au/resources/simulation-resources/scenarios

26/04/2026

📊 Interpreting quantitative findings in simulation research

A recent debate article explores how quantitative results are often interpreted in simulation research, and why statistical significance alone may not tell the full story.

While metrics like p-values are frequently treated as definitive evidence of whether an intervention has worked, the article highlights that these outputs are limited in what they can actually demonstrate. They do not explain how or why outcomes occur, nor do they account for the complexity of learning across clinical contexts.

Instead, the article calls for a more considered approach to interpretation. One that looks beyond statistical significance to factors such as uncertainty, effect size, context, and potential sources of bias.

By treating quantitative findings as inputs to judgement rather than final answers, simulation researchers can develop more meaningful, accurate and clinically relevant insights.

Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41077-026-00437-8

Address

Level 16, 120 Spencer Street
Melbourne, VIC
3199

Telephone

+61488988246

Website

http://www.vicsim.org.au/

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