College of Medicine,
Nursing, and Health Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in
Medical and Healthcare Simulation
(via distance learning)
Healthcare simulation is a range of activities that
share a broad, similar purpose - to improve the safety,
effectiveness, and efficiency of healthcare services.
Simulation education is a bridge between classroom
learning and real-life clinical experience.
Over the past two decades the use of simulation to
train healthcare providers has progressed rapidly in
terms of both the technology and the educational
techniques used. However, there has been a lack of
education and training in how this equipment can be
used to educate healthcare practitioners or
incorporated into existing educational programmes.
Course Facts
Course level:
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
Duration:
Six months for the Certificate and 12 months for the
Diploma.
Entry requirements:
This course is designed for doctors, nurses, allied health
professionals (e.g. speech and language, pharmacy,
physiotherapy, psychology), and simulation technicians
with more than three years of experience in their field.
Fees: Please consult www.nuigalway.ie/fees
Applying: Contact paul.oconnor@nuigalway.ie
Closing Date: July
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses
Why study this programme?
Employment and career opportunities
The certificate in healthcare and medical simulation will prepare you
to design, implement, evaluate and operate simulation-based
education in undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare teaching
environments. On completion of the certificate you will be able to
use task-based trainers, high and low - fidelity mannequins,
standardised patients, virtual, and hybrid simulators.
In the last decade there have been large investments in simulation
centers nationally and internationally. Simulation-based education is
becoming increasingly commonplace in the training and assessment
of doctors, nurse, and other allied health professionals. The
Certificate/Diploma in Medical and Healthcare Simulation will
provide you with the expertise required to effectively deliver
simulation-based education.
The diploma in healthcare and medical simulation will prepare you
to lead a simulation centre/programme. The diploma will also
provide you with the knowledge required to use simulation for
research, improving patient safety, and testing equipment, medical
devices, and processes.
Programme outline
The course is delivered as much as possible online. This delivery
method allows you to study at a time that is convenient to you, no
matter where you live. The modules are delivered using a
combination of multi-media presentations, online discussion boards,
and online tutorials. For the certificate there will also be a need to
attend one weekend of intensive hands – on training in using a range
of simulators carried out at NUI Galway.
Certificate Modules
credits
Introduction to simulation-based education
10
Simulation with mannequin and task based trainers
10
Standardised patients, virtual patients, and hybrid simulation
10
Diploma Modules
credits
Leading an effective simulation-based education programme
10
Human factors and patient safety in simulation
10
Uses of medical and healthcare simulation beyond education
10
“Simulation-based education is a fantastic
technique for giving students the opportunity to
practice, and receive feedback, on their technical and
nontechnical skills in a safe and supportive
environment. Just as is the case in aviation, the use of
simulation-based education in healthcare will soon
no longer be something that is ‘nice to have’, but will
be something that healthcare educational and
training institutions must have.”
Professor Anthony O’Regan
Chief Academic Officer,
Saolta University Healthcare Group
www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses
Enquiries to Programme Directors:
Dr Paul O’Connor • E: paul.oconnor@nuigalway.ie • T: +353 91 492 897
Dr Dara Byrne • E: rockhillhouse1@gmail.com