Why Simulation Matters
- Nneka Uchea Smith
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
– and why I’m excited about what we are building
I’ve been spending a lot of time working on an upcoming simulation training package focused on Sickle Cell Disorders (SCD), and it is one of those projects that reminds me exactly why education and training done well really matters.
SCD is complex, and too often misunderstood. There are still significant gaps in healthcare professionals’ knowledge, confidence, and crucially – communication when caring for people with SCD. Add diagnostic biases and stigma into the mix, and it’s clear that traditional teaching alone isn’t enough.
That’s where simulation comes in.
We are hoping to develop a 360-degree simulation scenario that allow clinicians to safely practise diagnosing and managing complex, life-threatening complications associated with SCD. No risk to patients, no “learn it the hard way”, and plenty of opportunity to #Pause, #Reflect, and try again (which, frankly, we don’t get enough of in real life).
#Simulation offers some real advantages:
1. Risk-free practice for high-stakes, dangerous scenarios
2. Better skill retention through repetition and immersion
3. Hands-on, realistic learning that makes complex concepts easier to grasp
4. Cost-effectiveness over time compared with repeated face-to-face delivery
5. Immediate feedback and performance data to support continuous improvement
The 360-degree video element is particularly powerful. Using real footage in authentic clinical environments helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. Some scenarios are filmed from the patient’s perspective, which is uncomfortable in all the right ways – fostering #Empathy, reflection, and a much deeper understanding of how care is actually experienced.
Simulation doesn’t stop when the scenario ends. Structured debriefing is a critical part of it, allowing learners to reflect on decisions made, notice what they missed in the moment, and explore how bias, communication, and teamwork influence outcomes. This is especially important for SCD, where patients frequently experience stigma and are not always listened to.
Working with specialist staff and patient advocates allows us to deliberately surface these issues and practice advocacy and non-biased communication in a safe space.
For me, this is about strengthening clinical skills, improving teamwork, and building confidence – but also about changing culture. If people don’t feel prepared, confident, or aware of their own biases, patient care and outcomes suffer.
This is exactly the kind of backstage work I love: designing learning that actually changes practice and is not just a CPD box tick.
More to come soon – and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this training supports better care and outcomes for people living with Sickle Cell Disorders.
Comments