| The lack of evidence that simulation performance assessment use is valid in a training model leaves room for discussion as to its usefulness in assessing clinical practice performance in credentialing. Currently, learning evaluation is done at what Phillips and Phillips (2008) described as Level 1 and 2. For the purposes of this study, the validity of using simulation for credentialing pushes the performance evaluation to Level 3, the transfer of learning to the workplace. With more and more pressure to use simulation for high-risk assessments, this Delphi study provided convergent views from 11 participants who were deemed experts in the field of healthcare simulation. The participants completed three questionnaire rounds and provided insights into the characteristics of simulation use today; the issues that have evolved to make it useful; the characteristics that need to exist; the circumstances for which simulation is best suited in providing assessments for credentialing; and the current or potential barriers to using simulation. Five participants believed that it was useful, another five believed it was useful but there were still some challenges to overcome, and one believed it was not useful at this time. The challenges facing the simulation healthcare community as brought out by this group of experts, although not generalizable, provide some interesting topics for future exploration. |
