Simulated Learning Environments (SLEs)

Health Workforce Australia is undertaking a project aiming to contribute to increased capacity of the health system to provide clinical training via the use of simulated learning modalities.

HWA is examining the problem of insufficient clinical placement positions as well as the need to train healthcare professionals more efficiently and effectively through the adoption of new and innovative training techniques.

Standardizing curriculum delivered through learning using simulation techniques and reaching national agreement by the Deans of the professions will ensure students are trained using best practice education principles.

The initial scope for this stage of the project is to cover twelve professions including medicine, nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, oral health (inc. dentistry), occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, pharmacy, radiation science, social work and clinical psychology. Other professions may be included later in the project.

Health Workforce Australia’s main objectives are:

• Increased use of simulated learning modalities in clinical training for entry level health professionals
• Optimized clinical training experiences through the use of learning programs using simulation techniques to develop clinical skills and competencies required by health professionals
• Increased equity of access for students to experience learning using simulation techniques in regional, rural and remote settings
• Improved quality and consistency of clinical training.

Simulation Educator & Technician/Coordinator Training Program

Funding is available to support the training of simulation educators and technicians via a new, national and standardised program. The national program is to be known as the “Australian Simulation Education and Technical Training” program or AusSETT.

Please follow the link for further details of the Simulation Educator & Technician/Coordinator Training Program (.pdf).

Simulated Learning Environments Summary Curricular Project

In December 2010 work was completed which identified the current and potential use of simulation techniques in the curricula of twelve professions.

A report was prepared outlining the findings of the project and documenting national agreement to the use of SLEs in curricula by universities throughout Australia.

Download the report: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Professional Entry Curricula of Selected Professions in Australia.

Download the technical reports for 18 professions in pdf format below:

• Audiology: A National Approach for the Integration of Simulated Learning Environments into Audiology Education: Final Report (.pdf)
• Chiropractics: Health Workforce Australia Simulated Learning Environment Chiropractic Curriculum Report (.pdf)
• Clinical Psychology: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Clinical Psychology Curricula (.pdf)
• Dentistry and Oral Health: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Dentistry and Oral Health Curricula (.pdf)
• Dietetics: Final Report on Dietitians Simulated Learning Environment Project (.pdf)
• Exercise Physiology: Exercise Physiology Curriculum Report (.pdf)
• Interprofessional Learning: Interprofessional learning opportunities in simulation (.pdf)
• Medicine: Simulated Learning Environments Medical Curriculum Report (.pdf)
• Midwifery: Simulated Learning Environments - Midwifery Curriculum (.pdf)
• Nursing: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Nursing Curricula (.pdf)
• Occupational Therapy: Use of Simulated Learning Activities in Occupational Therapy Curriculum (.pdf)
• Optometry: Use of Simulated Learning Environments (SLE) in Undergraduate Optometry Training (.pdf)
• Orthoptics: Simulated Learning Environments Orthoptic Curriculum Report (.pdf)
• Paramedicine: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Paramedicine Curricula (.pdf)
• Pharmacy: Use of Simulation in Pharmacy School Curricula (.pdf)
• Physiotherapy: Health Workforce Australia National Simulated Learning Project Report for Physiotherapy (.pdf)
• Radiation Science: Use of Simulated Learning Environments in Radiation Science Curricula (.pdf)
• Social Work: Visioning technology based simulated learning environments in the social work curriculum (.pdf)
• Speech Pathology: Integration of Simulated Learning Environments into Speech Pathology Clinical Education Curricula: A National Approach (.pdf)

Establishment of a National Network of Simulation Learning Programs

This project aims to establish a national network of Simulated Learning Environments ('SLEs') for the purposes of promoting inter-professional collaboration and resource sharing within Australia’s health workforce.

The first step to achieve this goal is the development of an online directory of SLE Programs (the Simulation in Health Directory) that contains information regarding SLE providers across Australia, including for example the courses and facilities available.

A survey of SLE programs across Australia will be undertaken in late April / early May 2012.  Individuals will be contacted to complete a survey to provide details for inclusion in the Simulation in Health Directory.  It is anticipated that the Simulation in Health Directory will be launched in 2012/13.

For more information regarding the project, please see the factsheet:

• Simulation Directory Project Fact Sheet (.pdf)

Simulated Learning Environments program updates

The Simulated Learning Environments program provides regular updates on activity. These can be downloaded on the Program Updates page.

For further information, please contact:

• Juleen Browning
• 1800 707 351