Operation Bushmaster: The Impact of Simulation-Based Education on Preparing the Next Generation of Military Medical Officers

Abstract

Operation Bushmaster, a large-scale, immersive, multiday simulation experience, is the capstone event of the School of Medicine's four-year longitudinal Military Unique Curriculum. Operation Bushmaster creates a realistic, far-forward deployed environment where military health profession students are provided the opportunity to put their military medical knowledge, skills, and abilities into practice. This use of simulation-based education is essential to accomplishing Uniformed Services University's mission-to educate and train military health profession students to serve as future military health officers and leaders within the Military Health System. Simulation-based education (SBE) is effective in reinforcing operational medical knowledge and patient care skills. Additionally, we found SBE can be employed to develop other key competencies for military health care professionals such as professional identity formation, leadership, self-confidence, decision-making under stress, communication, and interpersonal collaboration. This special edition of Military Medicine highlights the educational impact of Operation Bushmaster on the training and development of future uniformed physicians and leaders within the Military Health System.