Medical Simulation Fellowship

Fellows in this program gain experience developing a formal simulation-based curriculum using Kern’s six-step conceptual framework. They work closely with the fellowship leadership to assist other departments in improving or developing their curricula. Several former fellows have presented and published novel innovative simulation-based curricula.

Medical Simulation fellows work closely with the simulation center director and managers to develop a strong understanding of how to execute the daily functions of a busy simulation center. They are involved in establishing training in a variety of practice environments (regardless of personal specialty) in the operating theatre, emergency department, intensive care unit, outpatient office setting, EMS and disaster response, and they participate in a wide variety of in-situ opportunities at both pediatric and adult hospitals. Fellows gain a greater understanding of which task-trainers and simulators to utilize to maximize the educational benefit of the identified learners. Additionally, fellows gain valuable experience with budget management, billing, course scheduling, inventory management, and simulation center staff and faculty development.

Fellows receive close guidance on how to develop, execute and write up a simulation-based research project. All fellows must complete a first author research project submitted to the program director ready for submission to a medical journal by the end of fellowship. Additionally, fellows mentor a junior learner through simulation case preparation and piloting. This provides the fellow with further preparation and training in formal mentorship in their future role as a mentor and simulation faculty member. Fellows who elect to pursue a second year of fellowship have additional time to develop expertise under the guidance of faculty and co-author additional manuscripts and grants.

Fellows have numerous opportunities to debrief learners from a wide variety of disciplines and levels of training, ranging from students to seasoned faculty. Indiana University School of Medicine and the Indiana University School of Nursing are the biggest medical school and nursing school, respectively, in the United States. The simulation faculty regularly observe and debrief the simulation fellow’s debriefings to ensure rapid proficiency in this critical skill. Fellows are actively involved in the Interprofessional Practice and Education Center at Indiana University.

Fellows employ a variety of learning theories and conceptual frameworks to a multitude of learners from different disciplines. The development of expertise in understanding which approach works best for which learners is developed in the rich environment provided in one of the busiest simulation centers in the United States.

Fellows gain critical skills needed to execute the administrative duties of a simulation medical director. Additionally, they learn how to develop a business plan for typical hospital-based simulation programs, undergo training for grant writing and simulation center design. Fellows spend time with simulation administrators and progressively earn additional administrative responsibilities in one of the largest and busiest simulation centers in the United States in preparation for their future role as a simulation director.