What is facilitation?

The facilitation method is designed based on the learning needs of the learner and the expected outcomes. Facilitation develops a plan to achieve desired outcomes. Facilitation methods may vary based on the levels of the participants, the simulation objectives, and the context of the simulation-based experience while considering results.

Facilitation of a simulation-based experience requires a facilitator with the education, skill, and ability to guide, support, and seek ways to assist participants in achieving the expected outcome. 

Who is the facilitator?

A facilitator helps learners accomplish goals and keeps systems running smoothly during simulation. A facilitator assumes responsibility and oversight for managing the entire simulation-based experience (Persico, et al., 2021).

A proficient facilitator shall manage all aspects of simulation and have a key role in participants’ learning, helping them explore the case and the thought processes they use in decision-making. Moreover. The facilitator assists the participants in searching for evidence-based practice solutions, improving their skills and clinical judgment. The facilitator monitors the participants’ actions and adjusts the simulation to meet the learning objectives. The facilitator leads the participants in exploring the best efforts to meet the goals and outcomes of the simulation-based experience (Boese et al., 2013).

What are facilitation cues?

The role of cue delivery in simulation-based learning involves providing cues, both predetermined and unplanned, to guide participants towards critical information and learning outcomes within the scenario or case (INACSL, 2021).

• Predetermined cues are embedded in the simulation design, aligning with anticipated participant actions.
• Unplanned cues, also known as lifesavers, are in response to unexpected participant actions during the simulation.

These cues are essential for maintaining scenario fidelity and assisting participants in navigating unclear situations or unexpected events. Delivery methods can include laboratory results, moulage, phone calls, patient or family member comments, or triggered equipment responses, ensuring a consistent approach across participant cohorts for a standardized learning experience.

We’ve included the key criteria outlined by INACSL (2021, p. 58).

1. Effective facilitation requires a facilitator who has specific skills and knowledge in simulation pedagogy.
2. The facilitative approach is appropriate to the level of learning, experience, and competency of the participants.
3. Facilitation methods before the simulation-based experience include preparatory activities and a prebriefing to prepare participants for the simulation-based experience.
4. Facilitation methods during a simulation-based experience involve the delivery of cues (predetermined and/or unplanned) aimed to assist participants in achieving expected outcomes.
5. Facilitation after and beyond the simulation-based experience aims to support participants in achieving expected outcomes.

We encourage you to review the Healthcare simulation standards of best practiceTM Simulation Facilitation in more detail here.