When choosing a simulation case, it’s essential to identify what learning objectives are being reinforced by the events that occur during the simulation.

When choosing a case to be used, it is essential to identify what learning objectives are being reinforced by the events that occur during the simulation. For example, selecting a case whose events reinforce the need for recognition of rare clinical problems would be completely counter-productive to a course aimed at reinforcing basic resuscitation skills for novices. This reinforces the basic principle that simulation programs should be tailored first to meet the educational needs and objectives of the target population and/or training program, rather than the cases driving the curriculum objectives.

(Author: John Kim. Source: Issenberg SB, McGaghie WC, Petrusa ER, Lee Gordon D, Scalese RJ. Features and uses of high-fidelity medical simulations that lead to effective learning: a BEME systematic review. Medical teacher. 2005 Jan;27(1):10–28).