Victorian Simulation Alliance - VSA

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.

Gamified simulation for end-of-life communication 🕹️💬A recent randomised controlled trial tested a gamified simulation (...
03/12/2025

Gamified simulation for end-of-life communication 🕹️💬

A recent randomised controlled trial tested a gamified simulation (SG-EoL) to strengthen nursing students’ communication in palliative care.

The findings are nuanced:

✅ Improved non-verbal behaviour (forward-leaning) in the intervention group
✅ No significant gains in overall verbal communication, nodding or eye gaze
✅ Authors recommend adding real-time feedback, visual cues and structured debriefing to enhance learning

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876139925001665

Have you seen this VSA resource? 📘Our Breaking Bad News simulation lesson plan is available on the VSA website for educa...
02/12/2025

Have you seen this VSA resource? 📘

Our Breaking Bad News simulation lesson plan is available on the VSA website for educators looking to teach structured, evidence-based communication skills.

The plan includes pre-work, guided activities, role-play simulation, and reflection tools ready to adapt for your organisation.

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

01/12/2025

🎥 Victorian Translational SIMposium 2025 🎥

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s SIMposium. The day brought together simulation educators, clinicians, and researchers from across Victoria to share insights, test ideas, and explore how simulation can strengthen systems and improve patient safety.

From keynotes and workshops to posters and panel discussions, the program showcased practical innovation and collaboration across our simulation community.

We’re grateful to all presenters, facilitators, attendees, and partners for contributing to a powerful day of learning.

More updates (including upcoming webinars) coming soon.

🎭 A day in the life of a Simulated Participant 🎭This perspective article takes a creative turn with a poem capturing the...
27/10/2025

🎭 A day in the life of a Simulated Participant 🎭

This perspective article takes a creative turn with a poem capturing the unique experiences, challenges, and joys of being a Simulated Participant (SP). Written and performed at an annual SP gathering, it offers a light-hearted yet insightful look into the dedication, professionalism, and community behind the role.

The piece highlights:
✨ The preparation and standardisation that underpin SP work
✨ The balance between role portrayal and student support
✨ The camaraderie and friendships that grow within the SP community

Read the full article here: https://www.johs.org.uk/article/doi/10.54531/GBUZ392

New FREE scenario available 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️Ever wondered if simulation itself induces stress - and how that can be used as a to...
20/10/2025

New FREE scenario available 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Ever wondered if simulation itself induces stress - and how that can be used as a tool for learning?

This 12-minute video introduces the concept of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), its origins, and evidence base. You’ll explore:

🔹 How SIT applies to healthcare simulation
🔹 The role of stress in High Acuity, Low Occurrence (HALO) events
🔹 Practical examples of embedding SIT into your own education practice

Watch now: https://vicsim.org.au/resources/simulation-resources/scenarios

Employing simulated participants in medical education 😷A recent systematic review assesses the effectiveness of using si...
13/10/2025

Employing simulated participants in medical education 😷

A recent systematic review assesses the effectiveness of using simulated participants (SPs) in teaching communication skills in medical education. While SPs have long been part of training, this study brings new quantitative insights into their impact compared with traditional teaching methods.

Key findings include:
✨ SP-based teaching shows a medium positive effect over lectures or peer role play
✨ SPs support the development of patient-centred communication skills
✨ Evidence highlights both effectiveness and variability in study design and outcomes.

Read the full article here: https://journals.lww.com/simulationinhealthcare/abstract/2025/08000/employing_simulated_participants_to_develop.2.aspx

One week to go! ⏳Join us on Thursday 17 October for the Victorian Translational SIMposium - a full day of real-world, “h...
09/10/2025

One week to go! ⏳

Join us on Thursday 17 October for the Victorian Translational SIMposium - a full day of real-world, “how-to” translational simulation, framed by Safety II. If you’ve been waiting to lock it in, this is your sign. Expect to see:

✅ Expert keynote presentations
✅ Unique translational simulation projects
✅ Incredible networking opportunities
✅ Panels, workshops, posters and more!

📍 Mantra, Epping
🕗 Doors open from 8:00am

🎟️ Final tickets: https://vicsim.org.au/events/events-list/vsa-event/victorian-translational-simposium

🩺 Exploring extended immersive simulation in nursing education 🩺A recent scoping review examines how Extended Immersive ...
08/10/2025

🩺 Exploring extended immersive simulation in nursing education 🩺

A recent scoping review examines how Extended Immersive Simulation (EIS) is preparing undergraduate nursing students for the transition into professional practice. The review highlights both the opportunities and challenges of embedding EIS into curricula.

It shows that:
✨ Peer-led simulations enhance engagement, critical thinking, and decision-making
✨ Extended simulations improve confidence and practice readiness
✨ Authentic scenarios and structured debriefing strengthen skill transfer to real-world care.

Read the full article here: https://www.nursingsimulation.org/article/S1876-1399(25)00116-1/fulltext

Thank you to our sponsor: Device Technologies 🌟We’re excited to have Device Technologies as a sponsor for the Victorian ...
06/10/2025

Thank you to our sponsor: Device Technologies 🌟

We’re excited to have Device Technologies as a sponsor for the Victorian Translational SIMposium. With decades of experience, they bring world-leading medical and simulation products to healthcare teams across Australia and New Zealand.

Device Technologies partners with global innovators to supply high-quality equipment, training tools, and solutions that empower clinicians and educators. Their commitment to advancing healthcare through technology ensures simulation programs are supported with the very best resources.

📅 Haven’t registered for the SIMposium yet? Join us via link in bio.

New FREE scenario available 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️On the VSA website, you’ll now find a free, open-access scenario designed for low-re...
03/10/2025

New FREE scenario available 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

On the VSA website, you’ll now find a free, open-access scenario designed for low-resource settings:

Focus: Initial assessment and management of an acutely unwell child
Case: A 6-year-old girl presenting septic following a respiratory tract infection
Learning objectives: Identify, assess and manage sepsis in children
Designed for: Approx. 2 non-medical staff (nurses/community health workers) + 1 doctor

➡️ Explore and download here: https://vicsim.org.au/resources/simulation-resources/scenarios

📢 Program Update – Victorian Translational SIMposium We’re excited to share that the final program is now live for the 2...
02/10/2025

📢 Program Update – Victorian Translational SIMposium

We’re excited to share that the final program is now live for the 2025 Victorian Translational SIMposium!

This year’s program brings together a dynamic mix of presentations, workshops, and discussions designed to showcase how translational simulation is driving safer, smarter healthcare systems.

✨ Highlights include:

- 3 innovative keynote presentations from A/Prof Eve Purdy, Georgina Poole and Andrew Petrosoniak
- A panel discussion on Embedding Translational Simulation in Victorian Healthcare
- 3 unique and informative workshops - which will be prefaced by a short presentation from Dr Victoria Brazil
- & so much more!

Head to our website to explore the full program and register as we only have a few places remaining: https://vicsim.org.au/events/events-list/vsa-event/victorian-translational-simposium

📅 17 October 2025
📍 The Mantra, Epping

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Level 16, 120 Spencer Street
Melbourne, VIC
3199

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