GlossaryGuide

Etym. conceptual (adj.) 1820, “pertaining to mental conception” (there is an isolated use from 1662), from Medieval Latin conceptualis, from Latin conceptus” a collecting, gathering, conceiving,” past participle of concipere. Related: Conceptualism; conceptualist.

Etym. fidelity (n.) early 15c., “faithfulness, devotion,” from Middle French fidélité (15c.), from Latin fidelitatem (nominative fidelitas) “faithfulness, adherence.”

Definition

• In health care simulation, ensures that all elements of the scenario relate to each other in a realistic way so that the case makes sense as a whole to the learner(s) (For example: Vital signs are consistent with the diagnosis). To maximize conceptual fidelity, cases or scenarios should be reviewed by subject matter expert(s) and pilot-tested prior to use with learners (Rudolph et al., 2007; Dieckmann et al., 2007).