Simulation-Informed Healthcare Systems Design

The course covers foundational concepts and practical applications of simulation in healthcare systems, including translational and transformative simulation, tabletop exercises, and online facilitation. You will have the opportunity to explore how simulation can uncover system deficiencies, test new clinical workflows, foster collaboration, and support continuous quality improvement.  

This course is open to anyone with a connection to healthcare—clinicians, supervisors, researchers, or leaders. While there are no formal prerequisites, prior experience in a healthcare context is strongly recommended.

After completing the course, you will

• Understand the applications and purposes of simulation in healthcare systems design and improvement
• Be able to diagnose system deficiencies using evidence-based simulation methodologies
• Apply simulation-informed design principles to refine workflows and infrastructure
• Use simulation to foster interprofessional collaboration and promote organizational learning

Content

Introduction to Simulation for Systems Design

• Simulation beyond education
• Translational and transformative simulation
• Conceptual foundations

Diagnostic Applications of Simulation

• Simulation as a "pre-mortem" tool
• Identifying latent safety and social threats
• Tabletop simulation for work-as-done analysis

Simulation-Informed Clinical Design

• Principles and stages of iterative design
• Simulation modalities and data-driven decisions
• User-designer-builder partnerships

Simulation for Collaboration and Learning

• Enhancing team culture and relationships
• Organizational learning through debriefing
• Stakeholder involvement

Online Simulation Implementation

• Designing and facilitating online simulations
• Measuring impact and ROI
• Ethical and safety considerations

Teaching & timetable

The course comprises two online live lectures in addition to recorded lectures you can follow at you own pace. The course schedule for spring 2027 will be announced later.

This course includes five (5) modules, opened according to a set schedule. The modules are self-paced, except for two workshop sessions.

Module 1: Introduction to Simulation for Systems Design

Module 2: Diagnostic Applications of Simulation

Module 3: Simulation for Collaboration, Culture, and Organizational Learning

Module 4: Simulation-Informed Clinical Design and Iterative Refinement

Module 5: Implementing Sustainable Simulation for Systems Design

Every module has a short assignment. The course also has a final graded project assignment, which students are expected to do to pass the course.

Course fee

Please note that the course fee is 100 € for national students and 450 € for international students.