A National Position Paper for the Strategic Development of HealthCare Simulation in Italy

Background: Simulation-based education is an essential tool in modern health care, enhancing technical, behavioral, and decision-making skills while improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. In Italy, health care simulation has developed over the past 2 decades, with multiple scientific societies and educational initiatives promoting its use. However, the absence of national data and standardized educational frameworks presents a barrier to its widespread adoption. Recognizing these challenges, the Italian Ministry of Health convened a panel of experts to establish a strategic framework for simulation in health care, aiming to standardize methodologies, promote quality assurance, and foster collaboration across institutions. Methods: The panel, composed of experts in health care simulation, clinical practice, and risk management, conducted a series of telematic meetings from April 2022 to July 2022. A consensus-driven approach was adopted to review existing literature, identify key areas for development, and formulate practical recommendations. Results: Key recommendations include: establishing a national registry of simulation programs, defining accreditation criteria for simulation-based education, standardizing professional competencies for simulation educators, integrating simulation into health care curricula and continuous professional development, developing national standards for simulation-based training in new technologies and clinical procedures, utilizing simulation in public health preparedness and emergency response planning, promoting research funding and inter-institutional collaborations. Conclusion: This position paper provides a strategic roadmap for standardizing simulation-based education across the Italian health care system. By establishing national standards and fostering collaboration, simulation can significantly improve patient safety, care quality, and health care system resilience.