The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) is a conference that unites simulation professionals from throughout the world, and the Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER) is excited to announce they will be in attendance this year at Booth #542! Built on nearly 30 years of expertise in the field of healthcare simulation, WISER is a state-of-the-art simulation training and research facility that serves both the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC health system. WISER is fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) in Teaching/Education, Assessment, Research, System Integrations, and Fellowship Programs. WISER is dedicated to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery and the creation of innovative teaching programs for healthcare providers, educators, and simulationists. This HealthySimulation.com article outlines the tools, resources, and professional development opportunities offered by WISER, including their Simulation Information Management System (SIMS), TechSim course, Improving Simulation Instructional Methods (iSIM) course, and a SSH accredited Fellowship and Visiting Scholars Program, and highlight the presentations WISER leadership will deliver during IMSH 2025. Don’t forget to stop by the WISER booth #542 at #IMSH2025!
WISER Offers Tools and Resources for Simulationists
Developed in-house by the experts at WISER, the Simulation Information Management System (SIMS) is a state-of-the-art, cloud-based learning management and scheduling system that now supports the needs of simulation centers globally. With the scheduling and calendar management capabilities of SIMS, users can receive and approve requests from anywhere with a built-in alert system that prevents your space from double-bookings! The calendar functionality is extremely customizable to allow users to create class templates, subscribe to calendars for specific locations, and change calendar displays based on preference.
SIMS also houses pre-and-post course content, such as PowerPoints, lectures, quizzes, and surveys, to provide a one-stop learning experience for those who utilize your center. Most importantly, the data collection and reporting capabilities of SIMS enable users to securely collect and store data. This can range from the collection of pre-and-post course survey and exam data, demonstration of center usage through utilization reporting, and reporting data for research and quality improvement efforts. Built by experts from a world-class simulation program, SIMS is perfect for busy simulation centers looking for an easy way to schedule classes, manage curriculum, and securely manage data!
View the HealthySimulation.com Webinar Increase Simulation Program Efficiency with the SIMS Management Tool to learn more!
TechSim is another resource offered by WISER that provides support to simulationists interested in becoming Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialists (CHSOS). Available in both online and in-person formats, TechSim is mapped to the SSH CHSOS exam blueprint and teaches best practices to support simulation-based healthcare education programs. From the education of participants on simulation center technology and terminology, to the instruction effective scenario creation and programming, TechSim provides beginner simulation operations specialists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively perform the key tasks associated with the daily operations and maintenance of a simulation center. TechSim Online, worth 8 CPD credits for those already CHSOS certified, and TechSim Onsite, worth 15 CPD credits, are invaluable resources for individuals interested in becoming CHSOS!
Professional Development Opportunities at WISER
Not only does WISER offer tools and resources specifically for simulation operation specialists, they also have a variety of programs that support healthcare professionals in practice and educators who have a desire to incorporate simulation-based training in their curriculum. With an SSH-accredited Fellowship and Visiting Scholars Program, WISER provides mentorship and guidance to simulationists around the world. Both the Fellowship and Visiting Scholars Programs are highly customizable to allow individuals to identify their own goals, objectives, and areas of study while at WISER. Throughout the program, individuals engage in workshops and lectures led by leaders in healthcare and patient safety, observe diverse courses that utilize different simulation modalities, and participate in WISER Foundations to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively operate a simulation center. The WISER Fellowship Program is ideal for individuals interested in a 1-to-2-year curriculum, while the Visiting Scholars Program was designed for those intending to complete their studies in 1-to-11-months.
Created in collaboration between WISER and the Gordon Center for Research and Medical Education, iSIM is a two-day program designed to teach the fundamental skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to deliver effective simulation-based healthcare education. Throughout the course, participants collaborate to create and pilot their own scenarios, gain hands-on experience to design, test, run, and debrief simulation-based education sessions. From the initial stages of curriculum integration to the end stages of debriefing, iSIM breaks down the entire scenario design and implementation process to ensure participants recognize all the components of successful simulation. Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), iSIM is an invaluable opportunity for novice simulationists to learn best practices from experts in the field of healthcare simulation. Learn more and register for an upcoming iSIM course.
WISER Leadership Presention at IMSH 2025
Visit Booth #542 at IMSH 2025 in Orlando, Florida, to learn more about the resources and professional development opportunities offered by WISER and to see a live demonstration of SIMS! To support the needs of more simulationists, WISER will also raffle off one seat for their renowned iSIM course in March! This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for individuals to learn the necessary skills needed to deliver high-quality simulation-based training, so be sure to visit WISER at Booth #542 to enter the iSIM raffle.
Leadership from WISER will also deliver a variety of presentations throughout IMSH that illustrate the importance of simulation-based healthcare training. Join WISER’s Director of Educational Development, Bianca Caruso, and Kaylee Peden, an Educational Development Coordinator, on January 12, 2025, for their interactive workshop, “Beyond the Sim Lab: Using Media to Engage Learners and Faculty (Session 8446).” This hands-on presentation explores how the use of videos and other forms of media promote interactivity from a variety of simulation center users. From clinical procedural walkthroughs that help train first-year medical students, to tours and simulator functionality overviews that help orient new instructors, media is a powerful tool that is integral for cultivating engagement with your simulation center.
Learn More About WISER and Their Professional Development Courses!
