Narrative Review of Legal Aspects in the Integration of Simulation-Based Education into Medical and Healthcare Curricula

Abstract

The quality of healthcare varies significantly from one country to another. This variation can be attributed to several factors, including the level of healthcare professionals’ professionalism, which is closely linked to the quality of their education. Medical and healthcare education is unique in its need for students to learn and practice various clinical skills, algorithms, and behaviours for clinical situations. However, it is challenging to ensure these educational experiences do not compromise the quality of healthcare and patient safety. A simulation-based educational (SBE) approach offers a solution to these challenges. However, despite the widespread adoption of the SBE approach in medical and healthcare education curricula; its recognition for its high value among students, educators, and healthcare professionals; and evidence showing its positive impact on reducing risks to both patients and healthcare professionals, there is still an absence of a standardized approach and guidelines for integrating simulations, which includes determining when, how, and to what ex-tent they should be implemented. Currently, there is no regulation on the need for SBE integration in medical and healthcare curricula. However, the framework of this article, based on the results of the analysis of the legal framework, which includes a set of laws, regulations, principles, and standards set by various government, administrations, and authoritative institutions, will determine the fundamental aspects of the integration of the SBE approach that justify and argue the need to (1) incorporate simulation-based education across all levels of medical and healthcare education programs and (2) adhere to certain standards when integrating the SBE approach into medical and healthcare programs. This is an area that needs to be developed with the involvement of legal, health, and education experts.