Deliberately select instructional design features when developing simulation training modules¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 3 claims (3 for) · 1 study (1 review), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The review recommends that when developing training modules with simulators, instructors should "actively and deliberately determine which instructional design features to include", marking a transition from trial‐and‐error to evidence‐based educational practice. It argues this approach can optimise and streamline training, create targeted programmes, ground interventions in proven methodologies, and potentially contribute to better clinical performance and patient care.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Instructors must choose among the identified instructional design features when building simulation curricula

Constraints¶

• The review states optimal combinations of features for higher‐level outcomes (Kirkpatrick levels 3 and 4) remain unclear

Target Learners¶

• healthcare providers learning ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia

Target Learning Goals¶

• procedural skill acquisition in ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia

Claims¶

• Cook et al. found multiple learning strategies was the only instructional design feature with a significantly positive pooled effect on Kirkpatrick level 4 patient outcomes (0.53, p < 0.001) [+W]
• Feedback content matters: feedback on the procedural skill was superior to feedback on results, and light/buzzer feedback outperformed voice or no feedback [+W]
• Isolated feature comparisons: multiple learning strategies with repetitive practice increased self‐reported block success, and AI‐assisted nerve identification reduced patient complications [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Implement simulation-based education with targeted interventions, high-intensity low-dose high-frequency training, and strong integration and support

Examples¶

-

Key Sources¶

• Sekhavati P, Wild T, Martinez IDPC, Dion PM, Woo M, Ramlogan R, Boet S, Shorr R, Gu Y. (2025). Instructional design features in ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia simulation‐based training: a systematic review. Anaesthesia. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.16527