President's December Message: SSH Exceeded Expectation in 2024

Dear SSH Community,

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As the year 2024 draws to a close, I am delighted to reach out with my final monthly message, in advance of the conclusion of my tenure as President of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare at the upcoming International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare. This message reflects on our substantial accomplishments and sets the stage for the promising future that lies ahead.

2024 has been pivotal, guided by our strategic plan anchored in five foundational pillars. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of our SSH staff, the wise leadership of our Board, and the dedication of our members involved in councils, sections, committees, and SIGs, we have exceeded our objectives for the first year.

Advancements in Advocacy

One of our major advocacy milestones this year was the release of the Global Consensus Statement on Simulation-Based Practice in Healthcare, a collaboration with the Society for Simulation in Europe (SESAM) and other international affiliates. This document, which involved contributions from 50 simulation societies across 67 countries, highlights the transformative role of simulation in healthcare education, training, and practice globally. This consensus statement now acts as a guiding light for our organization and our partners worldwide.

Enhancements in Education and Learning

I am proud to announce the completion and printing of the Third Edition of the Simulation Dictionary. This new edition has been translated into French and Korean, to join 10 other language translation expanding our global reach.  I am grateful to Dr. Ellen Deutsch, medical officer in the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) who leadership led to the agency’s printing of 5,000 copies for distribution at IMSH 2025. The Dictionary 3.0 now includes many new patient safety terms, that also align closely with the mission of the AHRQ.

Technological Innovations

Our Technology Committee has been actively working toward the 2026 Technology Summit. Under the leadership of Matthew Hackett, they are preparing white papers on a variety of topics that will inform the discussions and outcomes of the summit, helping to shape the future of technology in healthcare simulation.

Research and Scholarship

Last month, I had the honor of joining 26 global experts at the Utstein Meeting in Copenhagen to explore how Extended Reality (XR) can advance healthcare education, and ultimately increase patient safety. Over two days, we discussed and addressed key issues around designing evidence-based XR programs, overcoming adoption barriers, and building faculty capacity. This will inform the development of a research agenda that will guide the global healthcare simulation community. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Doris Østergaard (professor at CAMES), Francisco Maio Matos (past president of SESAM - Society for Simulation in Europe), and Pier Luigi Ingrassia (current president of SESAM) who co-organized the event. I would also extend my appreciation and gratitude to Tore Laerdal and the Laerdal Foundation for supporting this Utstein Meeting.

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Credentialing

This year, I had the honor of opening a historic event to announce a pioneering partnership between the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the Sociedad Mexicana de Simulación en Ciencias de la Salud (SOMESCIS). This partnership was marked by the launch of a groundbreaking accreditation agreement, facilitated by the newly established Commission for International Simulation Accreditation (CISA). This initiative represents over a decade of rigorous development and refinement of accreditation standards by SSH, now tailored to include our International Affiliate Organizations like SOMESCIS. The signing ceremony was attended by leaders from our Accreditation Council, SSH Executive leadership, SOMESCIS leadership—including President Edgar Herrera—and leaders from our other international affiliate organizations in South America.

Since its inception, over 295 programs worldwide have achieved the distinction of SSH Accreditation, establishing us as the world’s largest healthcare simulation accrediting body. This continued growth can be attributed in part to the members of the SSH Accreditation Council, who have remained steadfast in their commitment to developing and promoting standardization in the ever-evolving field of healthcare simulation. The Accreditation Council is excited to announce that our newest area of SSH Accreditation focuses on the human element of simulation in healthcare. The Council strongly believes that our current standards do not adequately address human simulation (simulation-based education with human role players), which has been an integral part of the education and development of clinical practitioners for decades.

The SSH Accreditation in Human Simulation Standards aim to guide Programs in the recognized best practices of standardized/simulated patient education and training. We are thrilled to be piloting these standards with three of our currently Accredited Programs and are preparing to conduct a second round of pilots with additional Accredited Programs in the early spring of 2025.

I am also very pleased to share that SSH leadership will meet with ASPE leaders at the 2025 IMSH in January to discuss this new pilot program and how it relates to the ASPE Accreditation in Human Simulation. Committed to fostering true collaboration, we will explore all opportunities that mutually benefit both organizations and enhance the contributions and expertise of the SP Education community, in accordance with the ASPE Standards of Best Practice in Human Simulation.

Organizational Strength

The success and future organizational strength depend on preparing and providing opportunities for the next generation of leaders. The SSH has launched the Advancing Simulation Careers & Empowering Next-Generation Development (ASCEND) Program. This initiative recognizes emerging leaders in healthcare simulation who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, innovation, and a commitment to advancing the field. The ASCEND program welcomes all healthcare simulationists from the global community, including students, residents, fellows, operations specialists, researchers, educators, innovators, and industry professionals with less than six years of experience. The 2024 ASCEND cohort includes 20 individuals selected from a competitive global applicant pool. These participants will receive mentorship from established leaders in healthcare simulation, engage in tailored professional development opportunities, and be recognized during the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2025.

I wish everyone a joyous, healthy, and peaceful holiday season. May the coming year bring you happiness, health, and continued success in all your endeavors.

Warm regards,

Dr. Barry Issenberg
2024-25 SSH President