Transforming simulation in healthcare to enhance interprofessional collaboration leveraging big data analytics and artificial intelligence

Abstract

Simulation in healthcare, empowered by big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), has the potential to drive transformative innovations towards enhanced interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This convergence of technologies revolutionizes medical education, offering healthcare professionals (HCPs) an immersive, iterative, and dynamic simulation platform for hands-on learning and deliberate practice. Big data analytics, integrated in modern simulators, creates realistic clinical scenarios which mimics real-world complexities. This optimization of skill acquisition and decision-making with personalized feedback leads to life-long learning. Beyond clinical training, simulation-based AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) automated tools offer avenues for quality improvement, research and innovation, and team working. Additionally, the integration of VR and AR enhances simulation experience by providing realistic environments for practicing high-risk procedures and personalized learning. IPC, crucial for patient safety and quality care, finds a natural home in simulation-based education, fostering teamwork, communication, and shared decision-making among diverse HCP teams. A thoughtful integration of simulation-based medical education into curricula requires overcoming its barriers such as professional silos and stereo-typing. There is a need for a cautious implantation of technology in clinical training without overly ignoring the real patient-based medical education.