Developing a simulation-based education curriculum sample in postgraduate emergency medicine education

Objectives: This study aims to develop and conduct a preliminary evaluation of a simulation-based curriculum in emergency medicine residency training. Simulation provides medical students with the opportunity to experience real-life scenarios in a controlled environment, enhancing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Methods: The research was conducted at Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Medicine, and consists of a mixed-methods study in three phases. In the first phase, data were collected in three rounds from emergency medicine specialists in Türkiye using the Delphi Technique. In the second phase, a multidisciplinary workshop was held to develop the content of a sample simulation-based learning program using the collected data. In the third phase, the developed simulation scenario was implemented using the multi-patient technique. Four months post-implementation, qualitative data were collected through focus group meetings involving 13 of these residents. The data from the focus groups underwent thematic analysis. Results: Analysis of the qualitative data indicated that participants perceived improvements in their practical skills and clinical decision-making abilities. Performance evaluations were supported by focus group discussions conducted after the simulation exercises. Post-simulation focus group discussions indicated that participants found value in the training and reported benefits in transferring their simulation experiences to real-life situations. Conclusion: This study suggests that simulation-based learning can be a valuable addition to emergency medicine residency education. This educational method has the potential to enhance training quality by providing residents with opportunities for safe practice, immediate debriefing, and performance reflection, which may contribute to their confidence and competence.