Empowering Non-healthcare Students as Simulation Assistants in the Digital Era of Simulation-Based Healthcare Education: Bridging the Gap

Simulation-based education plays a pivotal role in various high-stakes fields, notably in healthcare, where simulation technicians are crucial for the effective operation of simulation technology. Currently, these roles are often filled by healthcare professionals who transition from patient care, exacerbating shortages in the healthcare workforce. This editorial addresses the current gap by proposing an alternative solution, creating educational pathways for undergraduate students in science and health science programs to become "simulation assistants". Leveraging their foundational knowledge in biological and physical sciences, research skills, and attributes developed through health sciences programs, these students could support simulation activities while entering an ever-evolving field with copious growth opportunities. Paralleling the historical development of medical laboratory sciences, which saw the creation of distinct roles for technologists and assistants, the editorial suggests a collaborative model wherein simulation technicians and assistants work together to enhance simulation-based education in the healthcare sector. This paradigm shift has the potential to alleviate the growing healthcare personnel shortages. While acknowledging the challenges, the editorial envisions the transformative impact of integrating simulation assistants into the healthcare workforce, echoing the historical evolution of specialized roles in response to the changing demands of healthcare.